Iran is shifting its attention to the upcoming presidential election following the mourning period for President Ebrahim Raisi, who passed away in a recent helicopter crash. The election is scheduled to take place on June 28, and the conservative camp aims to install a loyalist to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The lead-up to the election has prompted a diverse array of hopefuls from various political factions to enter the race. The registration for presidential candidates will start on Thursday. Among the contenders are ultraconservative former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, moderate former foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, and centrist Ali Larijani, who previously held the position of parliament speaker.
On Tuesday, Iranian lawmakers reaffirmed their choice of former Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf as the speaker of parliament. Qalibaf had been touted as a potential candidate in the presidential race by insiders and Iranian state media.
Following President Raisi’s death, Vice President Mohammad Mokhber, aged 68, has been tasked by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to oversee interim responsibilities and organize the June election. Media reports suggest that Mokhber, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and several prominent former officials plan to run for Iran’s second-highest post.
Political expert Abbas Abdi expressed concerns about the participation of reformist candidates in the election. He stated that if a broad spectrum of candidates is allowed to run, it will create hope in the people and lead to high participation. The final roster of candidates will depend on the validation process conducted by the conservative-leaning Guardian Council, which has previously disqualified numerous candidates in past elections.
The June election takes place during a turbulent period marked by the ongoing Gaza conflict between Israel and Hamas, as well as ongoing diplomatic tensions regarding Iran’s nuclear program. Additionally, Iran is grappling with significant economic challenges exacerbated by the re-imposition of tough international sanctions following the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, alongside the aftermath of widespread anti-government protests.
Iran is preparing for the upcoming presidential election following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. The conservative camp aims to install a loyalist to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. A diverse array of hopefuls from various political factions have entered the race, and the final roster of candidates will depend on the validation process conducted by the Guardian Council. The election takes place during a turbulent period marked by ongoing conflicts and diplomatic tensions, as well as significant economic challenges.
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