What factor contributed to Ahmadinejad's 2005 victory?

• A. Large abstention by voters
• B. Opposition split between conservatives and reformers
• C. Mobilized veterans of the Iran-Iraq War
• D. Promised to distribute oil revenues among the poor

Answer: (B)

Fragmentation of the political opposition into separate camps—the reformists and the conservative establishment failing to unite behind a single challenger—was the decisive factor. In Iran, presidential votes hinge on whether a broad coalition can coalesce around one candidate. In 2005, the reformist camp did not rally behind one candidate, and conservatives were not fully unified against Ahmadinejad either. This division allowed him to attract a large share of votes from across factions, giving him a landslide victory in the first round. While his populist messages about helping the poor and critiquing elites resonated with many, the lack of a unified opposition best explains his win.