Most candidates are vying to proceed the late Ebrahim Raisi’s legacy, however a lone reformer additionally has an opportunity to win
Iran is gearing up for a vital early election following the passing of President Ibrahim Raisi. The candidate registration interval ran from Might 30 to June 3, producing six contenders. The pre-election marketing campaign is going down from June 12 to the morning of June 27, culminating within the election of a brand new head of state on June 28.
Regardless of the tightly regulated authorized procedures, the ambiance within the nation stays tense, as evidenced by the variety of candidates who’ve thrown their hats into the ring. Over 1000 people registered for the ninth election, 686 for the eleventh, and a staggering 1636 for the twelfth. Within the present election, 80 Iranians have declared their candidacies.
An identical state of affairs unfolded through the third election, which adopted the assassination of the nation’s second president, Mohammad-Ali Rajai, in a bombing throughout a gathering with the prime minister and the secretary of the Supreme Nationwide Safety Council on August 30, 1981. Such incidents all the time create stress within the nation’s political panorama. Nonetheless, primarily based on the line-up of ultimate candidates, Iran is anticipated to navigate this disaster with minimal to no losses.
Who’re the candidates?
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf holds a PhD in political science and boasts a wealth of political expertise. He actively participated within the Iran-Iraq warfare, commanding each the Imam Reza Brigade and later the Fifth Nasr Horasan Regiment. Following the warfare’s conclusion in 1988, Ghalibaf continued his army profession. Through the Nineties, he led the IRGC Air Drive and later served as the top of the police pressure. This period marked a big interval of development for legislation enforcement, with trendy transportation and enhanced capabilities. From 2005, Ghalibaf served as mayor of Tehran for a formidable 12 years. His election because the president of the Majlis, Iran’s unicameral parliament, on Might 28, 2020, additional underscores his political trajectory.
Ghalibaf has been a recurring candidate in presidential elections, notably withdrawing his candidacy in 2017 in favor of Ibrahim Raisi, whose insurance policies he pledges to uphold. Of explicit curiosity is Ghalibaf’s dedication to strengthening ties with neighboring international locations, a cornerstone of the previous president’s agenda. His pre-election mantra is “Service and Progress.”
Saeed Jalili, additionally aligned with conservative ideas like Ghalibaf, performed a job within the eight-year battle with Iraq and supported Raisi in each the 2017 and 2021 elections. With a PhD in political science, Jalili is a member of Iran’s Strategic Council on International Relations. Notably, he served as secretary of the Supreme Nationwide Safety Council from 2007 to 2013 and led Iran’s nuclear program negotiation crew with Western nations. Since 2013, he has been a member of Iran’s Expediency Discernment Council. Jalili’s marketing campaign slogan emphasizes “A World of Alternatives, Iran’s Leap; Each Iranian Performs a Important Position.”
Alireza Zakani, the 58-year-old mayor of Tehran and a conservative determine, withdrew from the 2021 election in help of Raisi, and subsequently assumed the position of assistant to the president. He was unsuccessful in earlier election bids in 2013 and 2017. Zakani started his profession in nuclear medication, incomes a doctoral diploma and educating within the subject. He represented Tehran in a number of parliamentary periods and Qom metropolis in one other. Zakani’s pre-election slogan is “A Authorities of Service.”
Sayyid Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi stands out because the youngest candidate, with a medical background much like Zakani. A certified physician specializing in ear, nostril, and throat medication, he served as a parliament member from 2008 to 2021 and secured fourth place within the 2021 election. In recent times, Ghazizadeh Hashemi has overseen the Basis for Martyrs and Veterans Affairs. His marketing campaign theme is “A Authorities of the Folks and Household.”
Mostafa Pourmohammadi, a non secular determine from Qom, holds experience in Islamic jurisprudence and legislation, and defended his doctoral dissertation on this subject. He served as a prosecutor post-Islamic Revolution till 1986 and held numerous positions together with deputy minister of data and deputy minister of intelligence. Pourmohammadi later led Iran’s Ministry of the Inside and Normal Inspection Group, earlier than assuming the position of justice minister in 2013. At present, Mostafa Pourmohammadi is the secretary normal of the Combatant Clergy Affiliation, and in addition heads the Islamic Revolution Doc Middle. His pre-election slogan advocates for a “Decisive authorities of justice, prosperity, and energy.”
Masoud Pezeshkian is the only voice from the reformist camp amongst all candidates and can also be a physician – a cardiothoracic surgeon by career. Beforehand serving as well being minister through the eighth authorities and later as the primary vp of the Islamic Council within the tenth authorities, Pezeshkian brings a singular perspective to the electoral race. Regardless of dealing with rejection by the Guardian Council in earlier elections, his marketing campaign is anchored by the theme “For Iran.”
Candidates’ positions
Pre-election debates play a pivotal position in Iran’s presidential campaigns, providing a vital platform for candidates to current their viewpoints and coverage proposals. These debates present voters with insights into the contenders’ views, strengths, and weaknesses, aiding them in making knowledgeable selections.
Through the debates, former docs Zakani and Ghazizadeh reiterated acquainted stances from the 2021 pre-election marketing campaign. This consistency might be considered positively, reflecting stability and reliability – qualities important in a president. Ghazizadeh confused the necessity for concrete motion over mere guarantees, specializing in points comparable to subsidies, wealth redistribution, help for the personal sector, and home investments. Notably, he highlighted the societal influence of declining marriage charges and growing divorces, linking these tendencies to broader financial issues.
Zakani, drawing on his medical background, opened his speech with an analogy: “Simply as a physician’s mistaken prognosis results in the mistaken therapy, so does misidentifying the foundation reason for financial troubles result in misguided options.” Thus, the politician known as for addressing the foundation reason for all financial troubles within the nation, and famous the position of US sanctions.
“An financial system targeted on de-dollarization and reliance on our nationwide forex not solely strengthens the state but additionally provides substantial worth,” Zakani said. He underscored the significance of equitable distribution of sources.
Ghalibaf, in his tackle, positioned vital emphasis on financial issues, significantly the welfare of civil servants, pensioners, inflation, and the buying energy of Iranians. Notably, Ghalibaf constantly expressed his dedication to persevering with the insurance policies of the earlier administration.
“We should break the deadlock and construct upon the work initiated by the thirteenth authorities underneath martyr Raisi, fortifying its strengths and addressing its shortcomings,” stated Ghalibaf, highlighting the alternatives introduced by Iran’s membership of the SCO and BRICS. Total, his speech was well-considered, grounded in details, and supported by knowledge.
Jalili’s speech was characterised by a relaxed and predictable tone. It was evident that he sought to keep away from confrontation with different members by emphasizing the significance of getting a complete plan and asserting that nothing is unattainable. This included setting an formidable purpose of reaching an 8% financial progress fee in Iran, which was a key financial precedence for the earlier authorities. Jalili additionally underscored Iran’s huge scientific and technological potential. Addressing inflation, he remarked that not like the coronavirus, which lacks a definitive therapy, inflation might be managed, citing profitable efforts in lots of international locations to manage it.
Pourmohammadi additionally confused the detrimental influence of sanctions, urging for his or her critical consideration. He additionally highlighted world instability, citing the battle in Ukraine and tensions surrounding Taiwan. Concluding the debates, he emphasised that the top of state should obtain two vital aims: bolstering public belief within the authorities and advancing Iran’s regional and world affect.
“The federal government’s main duties are to make sure safety and prosperity, dignity, and peace for the Iranian individuals. It ought to put money into infrastructure in order that people, personal enterprises, and cooperatives can maximize these investments for his or her profit.”
Pezeshkian initially emphasised unity, asserting that even the most effective political program is destined to fail with out the participation of all political factions. This probably alluded to the competing conservative and reformist camps. Nevertheless, Pezeshkian adopted an assertive and aggressive stance through the debates. As the only reformist candidate, he constantly sought to problem and nook his opponents by criticizing earlier administrations.
“All governments have promised an eight % progress fee. Why have they failed to realize this because the revolution started?” Pezeshkian criticized authorities for overspending on purchases and underselling property. He labeled sanctions as a “disaster.”
“For 40 years we’ve pledged to resolve this difficulty, but every day our forex weakens, and folks’s buying energy diminishes.”
Ghalibaf responded:
“We have now made investments to realize an 8% financial progress, however I consider productiveness is preferable to mere investments, because it permits us to leverage our current capabilities and keep on target. This establishes a strong basis for continued funding attraction.”
What’s the underside line?
Among the many six candidates, three stand out as having the best likelihood of victory: Masoud Pezeshkian, Saeed Jalili, and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Ghalibaf, specifically, is essentially the most outstanding and seasoned politician inside this trio. However, there are a number of essential nuances to think about.
Pezeshkian, a reformist, capitalizes on the quite a few deficiencies and disappointments of previous administrations. Nevertheless, he’s unlikely to immediately problem the Supreme Chief on pivotal political issues, not like former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who sought to run within the election however was disqualified. Pezeshkian has overtly supported Ukraine in its battle with Russia and has not proven vital engagement on the Palestinian matter.
As the only reformist candidate within the lineup, Pezeshkian garners help from the complete reformist faction. He might additionally attract 10-15% of the so-called “dormant reformist citizens.” Moreover, Pezeshkian’s Azerbaijani background might resonate with a phase of the Azerbaijani neighborhood in Iran.
Then again, the conservative camp is split between Jalili and Ghalibaf, doubtlessly splitting conservative votes evenly until one concedes. In previous elections, candidates have voluntarily stepped apart to bolster Ibrahim Raisi’s candidacy.
Regarding Jalili, some analysts fear that his management may result in a extra closed system. He’s anticipated to proceed cautiously and will undertake a conservative strategy to new initiatives. Iran requires a president who will tirelessly work to boost the lives of Iranians, unafraid to shoulder accountability, very like Ibrahim Raisi did.
When it comes to future relations with Russia and the Palestinian trigger, few anticipate substantial shifts. These align with the directives of the Supreme Chief. Strengthening ties with Moscow and Beijing signifies a transfer in the direction of multipolarity, a course unlikely to be contested. The Palestinian difficulty stays integral to the core tenets of the Islamic Revolution and holds sacred significance. The president’s position right here primarily pertains to home coverage issues.
Supply hyperlink
