Ahmadinejad’s Fall from Khamenei’s Favor
Ironically, while Khamenei and the IRGC executed the 2009 electoral coup to retain their preferred candidate, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, he would fall out of Khamenei’s favor during his second term. While deferential, Ahmadinejad cherished his nominal independence from Khamenei, as his political brand was that of a populist representative of the people.