Ahmadinejad seeks to succeed Raisi as leader.
Iran is set to pick a new leader on June 28th, and surprisingly, ex-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has joined the race. He filed his papers at the Interior Ministry in Tehran as reported in the Iranian media. Under his rule from 2005 to 2013, the most common criticism Ahmadinejad received internationally was due to his anti-Semitic statements. Lately, the former head of state has had some critical things to say about the current administration. Some say it might be because he's lost the state's support.
The contentious former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is making a comeback, entering the race for the upcoming presidential election. He officially announced his candidacy on Sunday, as confirmed by Iranian media. Between 2005 and 2013, during his time in office, he was typically censured for his anti-Semitic remarks, drawing international attention and criticism. In recent times, Ahmadinejad has been critical of the government, suggesting he may no longer be in the state's favor.
By the end of Monday, Iran will have its new president. Candidates up until that time can apply for the position. According to state TV, approximately 20 individuals have entered the running. The Guardian Council, a powerful institution made up of Islamic clerics and jurists, will be responsible for approving or disapproving the applicants.
Just a few days ago, Ali Larijani, a former parliament member, unveiled his intention to participate in the race. The 66-year-old made his candidacy public on national television.
Unlike many other countries, Iran's president doesn't have the same powers as the head of state. The real power lies with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the religious leader.
During the last couple of years, Iranians have been feeling disappointed with government repression, economic instability, and fruitless efforts to change things for the better. In 2022's autumn, protests erupted across the nation in response to the death of the young Kurdish woman Jina Mahsa Amini, an incident that highlighted the strict Islamic laws. Voting numbers at the previous year's general election dropped significantly, hitting a record low of roughly 40%.
Tragically, Ebrahim Raisi passed away in a helicopter crash on May 19th. The presidential vote was initially scheduled for 2025.
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Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the former Iranian President known for his controversial anti-Semitic remarks, has decided to run for the upcoming presidential election in Iran. Ebrahim Raisi, who was initially set to compete in the election, tragically passed away in a helicopter crash on May 19th.
