Voters in Iran head to the polls this Friday, filling a vacancy left by the late President Ebrahim Raisi following a helicopter tragedy last month. Four candidates remain in the race for the presidency.
Initially, six candidates were vying for the presidency. However, Vice President Amir Hossein Qazizadeh Hashemi and Tehran Mayor Ali Reza Zakani withdrew last minute, leaving four contenders: Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Saeed Jalili, Mostafa Pourmohammadi, and Masoud Pezeshkian.
Among the presidential hopefuls, 80 had filed applications, but only six names were officially endorsed. Ali Larijani, a thrice-elected Speaker of the Parliament, also entered the fray but did not receive the final stamp of approval.
Who is Saeed Jalili?
Saeed Jalili, a former secretary of the National Security Council (NSC), has played a significant role in nuclear negotiations between Iran and Western nations. Known for his tough stance on nuclear arms, Jalili is considered part of the hardliner camp and is a close affiliate of Ayatollah Khamenei. His presidential claim is deemed to be the strongest.
Who is Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf?
Identified with the Jalili faction, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf is the current Speaker of Parliament. He has also served as Tehran's mayor and the chief of the Revolutionary Guards. In the past, he held the position of the police chief in Iran.
Who is Mostafa Pourmohammadi?
Former Minister of Interior and Justice, Mostafa Pourmohammadi is seen as a hardline leader. He has expressed opposition to the cruelty against Iranian women and has promised to abolish the hijab law if elected as president.
Who is Masoud Pezeshkian?
Masoud Pezeshkian, a cardiac surgeon and Tabriz parliamentarian, is recognized as a moderate leader and a close associate of former President Hassan Rouhani. He has openly opposed the hijab on several occasions and stated that no one has the right to moral policing. Pezeshkian aligns himself with reformists like Rouhani and former President Mohammad Khatami, and has attempted to connect himself with the leaders of the 2009 Green Movement protests.
What are the key issues in the presidential election?
The current presidential election sees crucial issues like corruption, brain drain, press freedom, Western sanctions, and hijab laws being hotly debated. The nationwide anti-hijab movement which began in 2022 has kept the hijab as a prominent issue in the public discourse.
