Reformist Masoud wins Iranian Presidential runoff against ultraconservative Saeed Jalili
- In Reports
- 12:24 PM, Jul 06, 2024
- Myind Staff
Iran's reformist candidate, Masoud Pezeshkian, won the presidential runoff election against ultraconservative Saeed Jalili, the interior ministry announced on Saturday. Pezeshkian received over 17 million votes, while Jalili garnered more than 13 million, out of approximately 30 million votes cast. According to electoral authority spokesman Mohsen Eslami’s statement, the voter turnout was 49.8 percent.
This election was held early following the death of ultraconservative President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. The first round of voting last week had historically low turnout, prompting Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to call for higher participation in the runoff. He emphasised the importance of the election, stating that the low turnout in the first round was not an act "against the system."
The election occurred amid intense regional tensions over the Gaza conflict, disputes with the West regarding Iran's nuclear program, and domestic dissatisfaction with Iran's sanctions-hit economy.
In the first round, Pezeshkian, the only reformist candidate, received around 42 percent of the votes, while Jalili obtained about 39 percent, according to Iran's election authority. Only 40 percent of Iran's 61 million eligible voters participated, marking the lowest turnout since the Islamic Revolution of 1979.
Pezeshkian, a 69-year-old heart surgeon, was a relatively unknown figure until recently but has boosted hopes among Iran's reformists. He was endorsed by former presidents Mohammad Khatami and Hassan Rouhani. Pezeshkian has called for "constructive relations" with Western countries to revive the nuclear deal and "get Iran out of its isolation."
Jalili, 58, is a former nuclear negotiator known for his strong anti-West stance. He rallied a significant base of hardline supporters and received backing from other conservative figures.
During two televised debates before the runoff, Pezeshkian and Jalili discussed the low voter turnout, economic issues, international relations, and internet restrictions.
Pezeshkian swore to ease internet restrictions and “fully” oppose police patrols enforcing the mandatory headscarf for women, a contentious issue since the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody in 2022. Amini's death had sparked months of nationwide protests.
Image source: AFP
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