Inflation fuels anger toward Ahmadinejad
TEHRAN, Iran - A sharp rise in inflation has provoked fierce criticism of hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ” not only from his reformist opponents, but also from senior conservatives who helped bring him to power but now say he is mismanaging the economy.
Ahmadinejad was elected in 2005 on a populist agenda promising to bring oil revenues to every family, eradicate poverty, improve living standards and tackle unemployment. Now he is being challenged for his failure to meet those promises.
“Inflation has its roots in the past,” Ahmadinejad said in a televised speech.
His comments were denounced from all sides, with economists and some fellow conservatives saying it is his policies that have led to higher prices.
Former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a powerful figure in Iran’s clerical leadership, warned Ahmadinejad on Friday that he needs to speak less and do more for his country.
“Inflation won’t be resolved through slogans and political manipulation,” Rafsanjani said.
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