Iranian voters are faced with a choice between ultraconservative Saeed Jalili and moderate Masoud Pezeshkian in the upcoming presidential election. Jalili is a hardline anti-Western hawk known for his rigid ideological stances, while Pezeshkian, a heart surgeon, has signaled a preference for a less hostile foreign policy and easing social restrictions in Iran.
The election, called after the death of conservative President Ebrahim Raisi, is tightly controlled by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who holds the most power in the country. The snap election has seen deep voter apathy, with only 40% participation in the first round ballot. Many Iranians doubt that their vote will lead to meaningful change, citing economic woes, hijab crackdowns, Internet restrictions, and corruption as reasons for boycotting the vote.
Jalili, a former nuclear negotiator, has vowed to overcome Western sanctions on Iran and strengthen ties with China and Russia. Pezeshkian, on the other hand, has criticized the government’s enforcement of a mandatory dress code for women and supported the 2015 nuclear deal. Both candidates have previously run for president but failed to secure a significant number of votes.
The election is important as it will determine the country’s direction and the next president’s role in selecting Iran’s next supreme leader, given Khamenei’s advanced age. While the election falls short of democratic standards in the West, it is used to legitimize the ruling elite’s power and influence in Iran.
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