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Politics

Reformist Masoud Pezeshkian Victorious in Surprising Iranian Presidential Election

Saturday 06 July 2024 - 09:10

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In a surprising upset, reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian has been elected as Iran's new president, defeating his hardline conservative rival Saeed Jalili. The election result marks a significant shift in the political landscape of the Islamic Republic.

Pezeshkian, a 71-year-old heart surgeon and member of the Iranian parliament, secured 53.3% of the more than 30 million votes counted, while Jalili polled at 44.3%. The run-off came after no candidate secured a majority in the first round of the election on June 28th, which saw a historically low voter turnout of just 40%.

The election was called after Iran's previous president, Ebrahim Raisi, died in a helicopter crash in May, along with seven others. Even before the final results were declared by Iran's interior ministry, Pezeshkian's supporters had taken to the streets in Tehran and other cities to celebrate. Videos on social media showed young people dancing and waving the signature green flag of his campaign.

Pezeshkian, who is critical of Iran's notorious morality police, has promised "unity and cohesion" and an end to Iran's "isolation" from the world. He has also called for "constructive negotiations" with Western powers over a renewal of the faltering 2015 nuclear deal, in which Iran agreed to curb its nuclear program in return for easing sanctions.

In contrast, Jalili, the former nuclear negotiator, favors the status quo and is known for his hardline anti-Western stance and opposition to restoring the nuclear deal, which he says crossed Iran's "red lines." Jalili enjoys strong support among Iran's most religious communities.

Turnout in the latest round of voting was 50%, higher than the first round but still considerably low. Widespread discontent led millions of Iranians to boycott the elections, with many young and middle-class citizens deeply mistrusting the establishment. The Guardian Council, a powerful body of clerics and jurists, had previously disqualified 74 other candidates, including several women, further limiting voter choices.

Despite the low turnout, Pezeshkian's victory represents a significant shift in Iran's political landscape. The new president's promises of unity, cohesion, and engagement with the West could have far-reaching implications for the country's future direction, both domestically and on the global stage.