TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Thousands of parliamentary candidates launched their election campaigns on Thursday ahead of Iran's Feb. 26 parliamentary elections, state media reported.

Over 6,200 candidates, including 586 women, began a one-week campaign for a place in the country's 290-seat parliament.

In the Iranian capital Tehran, over 1000 candidates are competing for just 30 seats.

Both reformists and conservatives have focused on improving the economic situation of the country, which is still feeling the effects of years of international sanctions. According to government statistics, inflation stands at 13 percent and the unemployment rate in Iran is 10 percent.

On the same day as parliamentary elections, voting will take place for Iran's 88-member clerical body known as the Assembly of Experts.

The Assembly will one day pick a successor to 76-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Some 161 candidates are standing for election.

Reformist and moderate candidates have formed an alliance, hoping to challenge conservative lawmakers, who currently hold a majority in parliament.

The parliamentary elections will be seen as a vote on President Hassan Rouhani's moderate policies. The president and his allies received a popularity boost following the July 14 landmark nuclear deal that curbs Iran's nuclear activities in return for the lifting of sanctions.