Overview about elections in Iran
Iran’s presidential election, which was moved up to June 28 after the sudden death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, is a major event in the country. Six candidates have been approved to run, and this election is important because the president is the second-most powerful person in Iran after the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The Presidential Candidates
List of Candidates
Here are the six candidates running for president:
- Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
- Current Role: Parliamentary Speaker
- Past Roles: Former Mayor of Tehran, Former Commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Air Force
- Saeed Jalili
- Current Role: Member of the Expediency Discernment Council
- Past Role: Former Chief Nuclear Negotiator
- Alireza Zakani
- Current Role: Mayor of Tehran
- Masoud Pezeshkian
- Current Role: Member of Parliament
- Mostafa Pourmohammadi
- Past Roles: Former Interior and Justice Minister
- Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi
- Current Role: Head of Iran’s Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs
How Are Candidates Chosen?
The Selection Process
- Candidacy Submission: Individuals submit their papers during a designated period.
- Vetting by the Guardian Council: A 12-member committee known as the Guardian Council reviews all candidates and decides who can run. This council has significant power and can reject many applicants.
Rejected Candidates
- Total Rejected: 74 candidates were rejected this year.
- Notable Rejections: Former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and former Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani were not approved to run.
- Reason for Rejections: The council does not publicly explain rejections but considers the candidates’ loyalty to the government.
Who Are the Frontrunners?
Top Contenders
- Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
- Stance: Conservative, but seen as relatively moderate.
- Strengths: Technocrat with close ties to the IRGC and Supreme Leader Khamenei.
- Saeed Jalili
- Stance: Hardliner.
Strengths: Strong connections with Khamenei and the IRGC. Viewed as a continuation of President Raisi’s policies.
Reformist Candidate
- Masoud Pezeshkian: The only candidate representing reformist politics, though the reformist movement is currently weak.
What Might Change After the Election?
Future Outlook
- Political Direction: Iran is likely to continue on its current conservative path regardless of who wins, as all candidates support the political system and the Supreme Leader.
- Current Challenges: The election occurs amid regional tensions, especially due to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. Iran also faces internal issues with a strong anti-government movement that began in 2022 after the death of Mahsa Amini. This movement has led many Iranians to distrust the political system, which could further strengthen conservative control.
Conclusion
The upcoming election in Iran will determine who will fill the second-most powerful position in the country. With six candidates approved to run, the election is set to be a critical moment for Iran’s future. The new president will have to navigate both internal discontent and regional conflicts.
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