Iran Holds Vote to Pick a President

Iran held a presidential election on June 18, 2021, to choose the country’s new leader. The election was closely watched both domestically and internationally, as it comes at a critical time for Iran, facing a multitude of challenges including economic woes, tensions with the West, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The election saw a field of seven candidates vying for the presidency, with the most prominent being Ebrahim Raisi, the current head of the judiciary and a close ally of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Raisi was widely seen as the front-runner in the race, with his conservative credentials and close ties to the religious establishment appealing to many voters.

Other candidates included former central bank governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, former Revolutionary Guard commander Mohsen Rezaei, and former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili. However, none of these candidates were able to generate the same level of support as Raisi, who was seen as the likely successor to outgoing President Hassan Rouhani.

The election took place amid a backdrop of economic hardship in Iran, with the country facing high inflation, unemployment, and a currency crisis. The situation has been made worse by the impact of U.S. sanctions, which have severely restricted Iran’s ability to trade with the rest of the world. Many voters saw Raisi as a figure who could bring stability and security to the country, given his close ties to the religious establishment.

However, Raisi’s candidacy was not without controversy. He has been accused of human rights abuses during his time as a judge, including his role in the mass execution of political prisoners in the 1980s. Critics also raised concerns about his close ties to the Supreme Leader and the conservative establishment, suggesting that he would not bring about meaningful change in Iran.

Despite these criticisms, Raisi’s victory in the election was seen as a foregone conclusion by many observers. The turnout for the election was low, with only around 48% of eligible voters casting their ballots. This was seen as a sign of disillusionment among the Iranian public, many of whom feel disenfranchised and disillusioned with the political process.

As Iran prepares for a new era under President Raisi, the country faces a host of challenges both domestically and internationally. The new president will need to navigate the country’s troubled economy, improve relations with the West, and address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It remains to be seen how Raisi will govern and whether he will be able to bring about the changes that many Iranians are hoping for.