Reformer Peseshkian wins presidential election in Iran - Khamenei calls for continuity
Peseschkian declared after his victory that the election marks the beginning of a "partnership" with the Iranian people. "The difficult path that lies ahead will only be worthy of being traversed through your companionship, your empathy, and trust," wrote the 69-year-old election winner in the online service X. "I extend my hand to you."
According to the election commission, the turnout for the runoff was 49.8%. Before the voting on Friday, Ayatollah Khamenei had called on the approximately 61 million eligible voters to cast their ballots. Previously, the turnout for the first round had been historically low at 40%. Khamenei did not view this contrary to the observations of observers as an "act against the system."
After Peseschkian's victory, the spiritual leader declared that the winner should continue the "path of the martyr Raisi" - a reference to the ultraconservative president Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May. Khamenei also urged Peseschkian to use the "many capabilities" of the country, especially the "revolutionary and pious youth," for the improvement of living conditions and progress in Iran. The spiritual leader is the political leader of the country, while the president is responsible for implementing the guidelines set by Khamenei.
Peseschkian had campaigned for easing internet restrictions in the country. He also spoke out against police controls for the headscarf requirement for women and against the use of violence during the controls. He had previously criticized the actions of the authorities during the nationwide protests that erupted in September 2022 following the death of the young Kurd Mahsa Amini in custody due to alleged violations of strict Islamic dress codes.
The result of the election is a sign that voters want "a serious change in the leadership of the country," said the former moderate-conservative president Hassan Rouhani. The Iranians had voted for "constructive engagement with the world" and the revival of the Nuclear Deal, he added. The treaty with Western states had been passed during Rouhani's tenure in 2015. The USA announced the termination of the Nuclear Deal in 2018.
Despite Peseschkian's election, the US makes no great hopes for an improvement in relations, as Foreign Ministry Spokesman Vedant Patel declared. Washington does not expect a "fundamental change" in Iranian politics or that the "Iranian regime will respect the human rights and dignity of its citizens more."
The SPD foreign policy politician Michael Roth wrote in the online service X that with Peseschkian as president, Iran would remain "a terrorist state and fundamentalist Mullah regime that supports Russia's destructive war against Ukraine, seeks to destroy Israel, and is building an atomic bomb." The country must remain isolated, demanded the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Bundestag.
Putin congratulated Peseschkian on his victory. "I hope that your attitude as president will contribute to the strengthening of constructive bilateral cooperation between our friendly peoples," Putin reportedly told Peseschkian according to Kremlin information.
China's President Xi Jinping, according to the state news agency Xinhua, expressed his intention to further develop the "strategic partnership." Beijing is Iran's most important trading partner and a significant consumer of oil sanctioned by the international community. Wishes came from India, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait, as well as Saudi Arabia. The Iranians have been striving for some time to improve relations with the Arab states in the region after decades of tensions.
Likewise, Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad also extended his greetings, as Tehran is an important ally for him.
The presidential election in Iran was originally scheduled for 2025. However, it was brought forward following the death of incumbent Raisi in a helicopter crash on May 19th.
- In his victory speech, Peseschkian mentioned the need for collaboration with Iran's youth during the upcoming "partnership" period.
- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the spiritual leader of Iran, encouraged the new president to continue the "path" of the late ultraconservative president Ebrahim Raisi.
- Peseschkian, the winner of the presidential election in the USA, had advocated for easing internet restrictions and criticized police controls during his campaign.
- Khamenei urged Peseschkian to utilize the country's "revolutionary and pious youth" to improve living conditions and promote progress in Iran.
- Said Jalili, a reformer, had also run in the election but did not make it to the run-off.
- Prior to the run-off election, Ayatollah Khamenei appealed to eligible voters in Iran to cast their ballots, emphasizing the importance of their participation.
- The election results indicated a desire for significant change in Iran's leadership, as stated by Hassan Rouhani, a former moderate-conservative president.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his congratulations to the newly elected president of Iran, Peseschkian, hoping for an improvement in bilateral cooperation.
