Choice - Reformer Peseshkian wins presidential election in Iran
The spokesperson of the election committee announced on state television in the morning that Massud Peseschkian had won the Iranian presidential election in the second round. He reportedly received 53.7 percent of the votes, while his ultra-conservative challenger Said Jalili received 44.3 percent. The election turnout was reportedly 49.8 percent by the election committee.
Approximately 61 million people were called to vote between Peseschkian and Jalili on Friday. The election was scheduled following the death of incumbent Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May. The polling stations remained open through late evening hours due to repeated extensions granted by the Interior Ministry.
Reform Candidate Advocated for Civil Positions
Peseschkian, 69, is from the northwest and studied medicine during the Iran-Iraq War with the neighboring country. During the war, he also served at the front. After the war, he continued his medical practice and became a heart surgeon in the million-metropolis of Tabriz.
During the campaign, the previously unremarkable politician advocated for renewed trust between the government and the people, who are disillusioned with politics due to failed reform attempts, political repression, and an economic crisis. Like many reformist candidates, he called for improved relations with the West to open the economy and revive it.
Under the Second Presidency of Mohammad Khatami (2001-2005), Peseschkian gained government experience as Health Minister. Despite his moderate tone, he is seen as a man of the system, having supported the powerful Revolutionary Guards and praised the drone and rocket attack on Israel. In TV debates, he described himself as a value-conservative politician who, however, believes in necessary reforms.
Non-voters Have Lost Faith in Political Changes
The official turnout in the first round on the previous Friday reached a record low of around 40 percent. This reflects the widespread disillusionment, particularly among the younger generation, who have lost faith in significant internal political changes. The death of the young Kurdish woman Jina Masa Amini in the fall of 2022 sparked nationwide protests against the Islamic ruling system.
Iran's political system combines republican and theocratic elements since the 1979 Revolution. Free elections do not exist: The Guardian Council, the supervisory body, always checks candidates' qualifications. Criticism of the system is not tolerated, as shown by the suppression of protests in recent years.
- Despite the victory of Moderate Politician Massud Peseschkian in the Iranian presidential election, his ultra-conservative challenger Said Jalili expressed his intentions to challenge the election results at the Electoral Authority, citing concerns raised by the Ministry of the Interior.
- The election campaign in Tehran for the presidential election saw both Peseschkian and his challenger, Jalili, making their respective pitches to the Iranian voters. Peseschkian advocated for renewed trust between the government and the people, highlighting the need for civil positions and improved relations with the West to revive the economy.
- The death of former incumbent Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash led to the scheduling of the recent presidential election in Iran. The consequences of Raisi's death during the election campaign had an impact on the voting choices of many Iranians, resulting in a lower turnout compared to previous elections.
- The Interior Ministry granted repeated extensions for the polling stations to remain open until late evening hours, allowing more voters to cast their ballots in Tehran for the second round of the Iranian presidential election between Peseschkian and Jalili.
- The non-voters in this election campaigned for a boycott, expressing their disillusionment with the political system in Iran, which they believe does not allow for free elections and the suppression of criticism of the system.
