A damper for hardliners - Reformer Peseshkian wins presidential election in Iran
The Islamic Republic of Iran, following the election victory of the moderate presidential candidate, Massud Peseschkian, is facing the possibility of a political shift. Peseschkian secured 53.7% of the votes against his ultra-conservative challenger, Said Jalili, as announced by the spokesperson of the election commission in Tehran in the morning. Given the intricate political landscape and powerful interest groups in Iran, it remains unclear whether a significant policy change is indeed expected from the winner Peseschkian.
State television broadcasted images of supporters celebrating Peseschkian's victory with horn honking in the early morning hours. Reactions in Tehran, however, were initially subdued.
"We will extend the hand of friendship to all," Peseschkian said after his election victory. "Let us all work towards the rise of the country." Political rivals were also referred to as brothers. Jalili made no comment on the election outcome.
Approximately 61 million people were called upon to make their decision between Peseschkian and Jalili in the second round of voting on Friday. The Interior Ministry extended the voting deadline multiple times into the late evening hours. Eventually, about 16.4 million eligible voters chose Peseschkian, while approximately 13.5 million voted for Jalili.
The weeks leading up to the election were marked by striking uniformity. In the first round, this was reflected in a historically low voter turnout of around 40%. The second round saw a voter turnout of 49.8%.
The early election was held following the death of incumbent Ebrahim Raisi, who passed away in May due to a helicopter crash. His nearly three-year tenure was characterized by significant political repression, protest waves, and a deteriorating economic situation.
Reform candidate seeks to regain the trust of the people
Peseschkian hails from the northwest of the country. During the First Gulf War with neighboring Iraq, he pursued a medical degree and served at the front. After the war, he continued his medical career and rose to prominence as a heart surgeon in the metropolis of Tabriz.
In his campaign, the rather unassuming politician advocated for a new relationship between the government and the people, as most Iranians are disillusioned with politics following failed reform attempts. Like many other reformist politicians, Peseschkian called for improved relations with the West to open up the economy and revive it.
The widower, who lost his wife and one of his sons in a traffic accident in the early 90s, appeared at his campaign events with his daughter and grandchild. With his efforts to connect and the campaign slogan "for Iran," Peseschkian aimed to make it clear that he would stand up for the people.
It remains to be seen whether he will fulfill this promise and how. Peseschkian publicly declared his unwavering loyalty to Religious Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds the final say in all strategic matters and is the most powerful figure in the Islamic Republic.
During the second presidency of Mohammad Khatami (2001-2005), Peseschkian gathered government experience as Health Minister. Despite his moderate rhetoric, he supported the powerful Revolutionary Guards, Iran's elite military force, and praised the youngest attack with drones and rockets on the arch-enemy Israel in April. In TV debates, he identified himself as a conservative politician, but he believes reforms are necessary.
Economic crisis in focus of election debates
Iran's political system combines republican and theocratic features since the 1979 Revolution. Free elections do not exist: The so-called Guardian Council, a powerful Islamic oversight body, always vets candidates. This time, it allowed only six out of 80 presidential candidates to run. Two of them withdrew before the first round of voting.
Unlike in many other countries, the President in Iran is not the head of state. The actual power is concentrated on the Religious Leader, who has been Khamenei since 1989. The Revolutionary Guards have built up their political and economic influence in the past decades.
The candidates debated mostly about ways to alleviate the grave economic crisis in the country. Due to its controversial nuclear program, Iran is subject to international sanctions and largely cut off from the global financial system. The country needs billions in investments. In addition to economic issues, the debaters discussed domestic policy, cultural policy, and dealing with the West.
Non-voters have lost faith in political changes
Most Iranians and especially young people have lost faith in significant internal political changes. Reforms of the political system are said to be impossible, often with a resigned tone. Some activists like the imprisoned Peace Nobel Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi had called for a boycott of the presidential election beforehand.
The death of the young Kurd Jina Masa Amini in the fall of 2022 sparked nationwide protests against the Islamic ruling system. Large street demonstrations have not occurred since then, likely due to fear of violent repression. Disillusionment is widespread. Many educated Iranian women and men with good degrees want to leave the country.
- Despite the election victory, it remains unclear if Massud Peseschkian's moderate policies will lead to a significant policy change within the Ministry of the Interior in Iran.
- Said Jalili, the ultra-conservative challenger, was criticized for his association with the political repression and economic struggles during his tenure as president, under the presidency of his predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi.
- As the new president, Peseschkian might face resistance from powerful interest groups and the Iranian Parliament, especially in implementing any policy change that could lessen the Revolutionary Guards' influence.
- Peseschkian's rival, Raisi, passed away under tragic circumstances during his presidency, leaving a void in the Iranian political landscape and shaping the election campaign into a symbolic showdown between reform and conservatism.
- During his election campaign, Peseschkian pledged to work toward better relations with the international community, which aligns with the historical involvement of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's religious leader, in foreign policy decisions.
- The election outcome means there might be a shift in Iran's foreign policy clearance, but the final say on strategic matters remains with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who will be closely monitoring any potential change in Iran's relations with the world.
