The Islamic Coalition Party[a] (ICP; Persian: حزب مؤتلفه اسلامی, romanized: ḥezb-e moʾtalefe-ye eslāmi) is a conservative political party in Iran that favors economic liberalism.
Islamic Coalition Party | |
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Secretary-General | Asadollah Badamchian |
Spiritual leader | Ruhollah Khomeini (deceased)[1] |
Deputy Secretary-General | Mohammad-Ali Amani |
Head of Central Council | Mostafa Mir-Salim |
Political deputy | Mohammad-Kazem Anbarlouei |
Founded | April 1963[2] |
Legalised | December 11, 1990[3] |
Headquarters | Tehran, Iran |
Newspaper | |
Guild wing | Union of Islamic Associations of Guilds and Bazaaris[4] |
Ideology | |
Political position | Right-wing |
Religion | Shia Islam |
National affiliation | |
Continental affiliation | International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP)[9] |
Electoral alliances |
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Colors | Islamic green |
Website | |
motalefeh | |
The party is the pivotal organization within Front of Followers of the Line of the Imam and the Leader and is considered a lay ally of the influential Combatant Clergy Association.[10] Though still very active and influential, the organization experienced a gradual elimination from political power after rise of new conservative rivals in the 2000s[11][1] and some analysts dismiss it as something of a dinosaur heading for extinction.[12]
One of the oldest among the active parties in Iran, it represents older generations of conservatives[8] and its main base of support is among bazaari merchants and shopkeepers in Grand Bazaar of Tehran and other cities, petite bourgeoisie and traditionalist clerics.[5][6][11] It is probably the only political organization in Iran which possesses an organic relation with such a social base.[1]
Since 1979, the party members have held high government offices[4] and are influential players in the economy of Iran, dominating Iran Chamber of Commerce Industries and Mines (ICCIM)[13][1] and having "a say in the appointment of the minister of commerce".[5] The party has also interactions with Mostazafan Foundation, Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation and Mashhad-based Astan Quds Razavi.[13]
The party has affiliated parochial schools for boys and girls.[8]
It played a vital role in the success of the Iranian Revolution.[1] Following the revolution, it reduced its activities many members joined the Islamic Republic Party as leading members, resuming its activities after the latter's dissolution in 1987.[11][1] The party had some 90 parliamentary seats in 2006, according to Mohsen Sazegara.[14]
Islamic Coalition Party has an office for its international affairs headed by Mehdi Soli,[15] succeeding Hamidreza Taraghi.[16] The party held a forum on unity of Islamic parties in 2015, participated by Hezbollah among others.[17] It sent congratulations to the 12th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam[18] and also maintains good relationships with the Communist Party of China,[19] as well as the Workers' Party of Korea and government of North Korea.[20]
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