Wilayi Independents fraction | |
|---|---|
| Chamber | Islamic Consultative Assembly |
| Legislature(s) | 10th |
| Foundation | 20 July 2016[1] |
| Leader | Ali Larijani |
| President | Kazem Jalali (2016–19) Gholam Ali Jafarzadeh (2019–20) |
The Wilayi Independents (Persian: مستقلین ولایی) is a parliamentary group in the 10th legislature of the Islamic Republic of Iran, unofficially led by Ali Larijani.[2] The faction was chaired by Kazem Jalali,[3] who was succeeded by Gholam Ali Jafarzadeh.[4]
Though a minority with estimated 80 members,[1][5][6] the group is believed to have an advantage in the parliament by shaping a minority influence situation.[2]
In the beginning, the reformists whose list elected 125 candidates to the parliament, expected the moderate independents to join them on a majority faction with about 169 members.[7] However, after the parliament was opened many of them broke away and created a new faction in the parliament along with some conservative rivals and independents to "pursue a moderate agenda".[6] Members of the parliament who were elected by List of Hope backing, and joined the group instead of Hope fraction, were accused of "opportunism".[1]