The clerical institution hoped for a excessive turnout because it faces a legitimacy disaster fuelled by public discontent over financial hardship and curbs on political and social freedom. Nevertheless, turnout in Friday’s vote hit a historic low of about 40 per cent, based mostly on an inside ministry depend launched on Saturday.
The election comes at a time of escalating regional pressure because of the warfare between Israel and Iranian allies Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, in addition to elevated Western strain on Iran over its fast-advancing nuclear programme.
With Iran’s supreme chief now 85, it’s possible that the following president can be carefully concerned within the course of of selecting a successor to Khamenei, who seeks a fiercely loyal president who can guarantee a clean eventual succession to his personal place, insiders and analysts say.
Anti-Western views of Jalili, Iran’s former nuclear negotiator, supply a distinction to these of Pezeshkian. Analysts mentioned Jalili’s win would sign the potential for an much more antagonistic flip within the Islamic Republic’s international and home coverage.
However a victory for mild-mannered lawmaker Pezeshkian would possibly assist ease tensions with the West, enhance possibilities of financial reform, social liberalisation and political pluralism.
Pezeshkian, devoted to Iran’s theocratic rule, is backed by the reformist faction that has largely been sidelined in Iran lately.
“We are going to respect the hijab regulation, however there ought to by no means be any intrusive or inhumane behaviour towards ladies,” Pezeshkian mentioned after casting his vote.
He was referring to the demise of Mahsa Amini, a younger Kurdish girl, in 2022 whereas in morality police custody for allegedly violating the obligatory Islamic costume code.
The unrest sparked by Amini’s demise spiralled into the largest present of opposition to Iran’s clerical rulers in years.