Dolma at every meal

ENAR

Despite all the political maneuvering, recent presidential elections in Iran have hinged on the economy. But winning votes and delivering economic growth are hardly the same. Candidates have criticized the management of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the outgoing president who is ineligible under the constitution for a third consecutive term. No wonder. Since the last election in 2009, growth has vanished, the currency has lost over half its international value and official figures put unemployment at 13 percent and inflation at 32 percent.  Not all can be blamed on Ahmadinejad’s populist policies — crucially, cash handouts and subsidized bank lending — as sanctions have tightened, especially in the past year. But the president’s critics have ample evidence that his approach has failed. But what is the alternative, and is it being aired in the election? The central challenge of economic policy in Iran will persist whoever replaces Ahmadinejad, and candidates have been