Iran announces presidential elections following Raisi's demise.
Iran's president and foreign minister are killed in a helicopter crash, and early elections are announced.
The death of Iran's president, Ebrahim Raisi, in a helicopter accident has led to the announcement of a new presidential election on June 28. The date was set during a meeting between the heads of government, parliament, and the judiciary. Raisi passed away in the northwest of the country on Sunday.
Per the Iranian constitution, a presidential election must take place within 50 days of the end of a president's term. Mohammed Mochber, appointed by the country's spiritual leader, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, will serve as the interim president. Ali Bagheri Kani, the acting deputy minister of foreign affairs, has replaced Hussein Amirabdollahian as the acting foreign minister. Both Amirabdollahian and Raisi died in the helicopter crash.
A funeral procession for Raisi and his other delegation members killed in the accident will take place in Tehran on Wednesday, with a five-day period of national mourning declared in the country.
Although Khamenei is considered the country's highest power, holding office since 1989, he aims to maintain calm and suggested there would be no disruptions in government operation.
Experts don't foresee significant changes in Iran's policies
Experts do not anticipate any substantial changes in Iran's policies with a new president. "The spiritual leader and the Revolutionary Guards will maintain authority over strategic decisions," says Ali Vaez from the International Crisis Group in X. "The focus will be on continuity rather than change," he adds, given the existing challenges in the region and tensions with the USA.
Iran analyst Farid Vahid from the Fondation Jean Jaurès think tank agrees, noting that Raisi's policies have allowed the Revolutionary Guards to have significant freedom. "For the Iranian conservatives, the important task now is to find a candidate who can win an election without causing them too much trouble," he emphasizes.
Raisi's death coincides with growing dissatisfaction in Iran
Raisi's death coincides with increasing public discontent with the leadership in Iran, as it faces a political, social, and economic crisis. The Iranian government is also facing international scrutiny for deepening military ties with Russia during its conflict with Ukraine, providing Shaykh drones to their military, causing considerable harm to the Ukrainian civilian population. Iran is also supporting Hamas in the Gaza Strip, who have been engaged in a brutal war against the Israeli military since their attack on October 7.
Raisi began his presidency in 2021, replacing Hassan Rouhani, who was considered pragmatic. Raisi had previously served as head of the judiciary and was subject to US sanctions due to his role in serious human rights violations. Raisi ordered the repression of nationwide protests following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody a year and a half ago, tightening morality laws. He also advocated for a hardline position during international nuclear program negotiations.
Read also:
- Year of climate records: extreme is the new normal
- Precautionary arrests show Islamist terror threat
- UN vote urges Israel to ceasefire
- SPD rules out budget resolution before the end of the year
The forthcoming presidential elections in Iran are a direct consequence of Ebrahim Raisi's passing, as stated in the constitution, which mandates an election within 50 days of a president's term's end.
Despite Ebrahim Raisi's demise, experts predict minimal changes in Iran's policies due to the significant influence of the spiritual leader and the Revolutionary Guards.
Source: www.ntv.de
