Four Candidates Contest the Presidency of Iran
An Iranian citizen casting her vote, June 28, 2024. Photo: X/ @turkiyetodaycom
June 28, 2024 Hour: 8:58 am
Through five televised debates, they presented their proposals to their fellow citizens.
On Friday, over 61 million Iranians are eligible to participate in the 14th presidential election and choose who will replace late President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May.
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Initially, Iran’s Guardian Council selected six candidates from 80 citizens who registered to run for the presidency. The chosen ones were Masud Pezeshkian, Mostafa Purmohamadi, Saeed Jalili, Alireza Zakani, Amirhosein Qazizade Hashemi, and Mohamad Baqer Qalibaf.
Through five televised debates, they presented their proposals to their fellow citizens. On Thursday, however, two candidates withdrew from the electoral race.
The mayor of Tehran, Alireza Zakani, who had less than 5 percent of the vote intention, announced that he was leaving the presidential race. Late last night, Amir Hosein Ghazizadeh, the Iranian vice president, also announced his withdrawal from the race. His departure from the competition favors the conservative candidates Mohamad Baqer Qalibaf and Saeed Jalili.
Below are the profiles of the four candidates who remain in the race for the presidency of Iran:
Masud Pezeshkian (1954): He was health minister from 2001 to 2005. He has extensive parliamentary experience. During the debates, he proposed to curb unnecessary public spending, effectively combat corruption, promote national unity and consensus, and reform international relations as a crucial step to facilitate economic growth.
Mostafa Purmohamadi (1959): He worked as a prosecutor for the Islamic Revolution in various provinces from 1979 to 1986. He was also interior minister (2004-2007), justice minister (2013-2017), and head of the General Inspection Organization (2007-2012).
This candidate advocated for maintaining political stability, ensuring economic growth, eliminating obstacles to production, introducing e-government mechanisms, and reducing bureaucratic procedures.
Saeed Jalili (1965): Between 2007 and 2013, he was the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and head of the nuclear negotiation group with Western countries. Since 2013, he has been a member of the Expediency Discernment Council and represents Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei in the Supreme National Security Council.
Among his priorities are monetary stability, job creation, women’s empowerment, and increasing agricultural production. To achieve all of the above, he advocates the need for meticulous planning.
Mohamad Baqer Qalibaf (1961): He has been the Speaker of the Parliament since 2020. He was appointed Commander of the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in 1997 and was the mayor of Tehran for 12 years.
This candidate advocates comprehensive assistance to the population, addressing key issues such as access to healthcare, the supply of essential goods, affordable housing, and job creation in rural areas. He also promised to consolidate peace amid external threats to the country.
Autor: teleSUR/ JF
Fuente: HispanTV - IRNA
