Iran‘s Election Commission has announced that 69-year-old reformist Masud Pezeshkian has won the second round of the presidential election and will become the country’s next president.
Pezeshkian, a heart surgeon, won 53.6% of the votes compared to ultra-conservative Saeed Jalili with 44.3%, in an election that had a turnout of 49.9% with 30,573,931 votes, EFE reported in a publication.
Iranian Election Commission spokesman Mohsen Eslami announced at a press conference that “Mr. Masud Pezeshkian has thus become the winner of the 14th presidential election of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
The former health minister and parliamentarian will become the ninth president in the history of the Islamic Republic of Iran and will succeed the ultra-conservative Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter accident in May.
Iran’s president-elect was a little-known politician at the start of his campaign, but he gained popularity with a message of moderation, rapprochement with the West and criticism of the veil.
He has succeeded in rallying dissatisfied voters against Raisi’s policies, under whose government social and political repression increased, while his campaign has fuelled fear of Jalili, an ultra-conservative with a reputation for being “intransigent”.
Pezeshkian will become the first reformist president in years, a political group that seeks a certain opening in the country, in a country that is facing strong regional tensions due to the war in Gaza, but also within the country due to policies such as the imposition of the veil and the lack of freedoms.
The Iranian president has decision-making power in domestic matters and, to a lesser extent, in foreign and security policy in Iran, where Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei serves as head of state with vast powers.
The 61 million Iranians who were called to vote were also at stake in the elections, with 49.8% of the electorate voting, an improvement from 39.9% in the first round.
This 39.9% was a record abstention rate in the history of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which has always attached great importance to participation as proof of popular support and its legitimacy.
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2024-09-13 00:44:36
What are the potential implications of Masoud Pezeshkian’s presidency for Iran’s relation with Western countries?
Table of Contents
Historic Win for Reformist Masoud Pezeshkian in Iran’s Presidential Election
In a landmark victory, reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian has won the presidential runoff election in Iran, marking a significant shift in the country’s political landscape. According to official results, Pezeshkian secured 53.6% of the votes, defeating ultra-conservative Saeed Jalili who garnered 44.3% of the votes [[1]].
The election, which took place on June 28, saw a turnout of 49.9% with 30,573,931 votes cast. Pezeshkian’s victory was announced by Iranian Election Commission spokesman Mohsen Eslami, who declared him the winner of the 14th presidential election of the Islamic Republic of Iran [[1]].
Pezeshkian, a 69-year-old heart surgeon, and former health minister and parliamentarian, will become the ninth president in the history of the Islamic Republic of Iran, succeeding the late President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter accident in May.
The reformist candidate’s surprise win is attributed to his message of moderation, rapprochement with the West, and criticism of the veil. Pezeshkian’s campaign successfully rallied dissatisfied voters against Raisi’s policies, which had led to increased social and political repression. His victory has also sparked fears about the ultra-conservative Jalili, known for his “intransigent” reputation [[1]].
Pezeshkian’s win marks a significant shift in Iran’s political landscape, as he becomes the first reformist president in years. The reformist movement seeks to bring about a certain level of openness in the country, which has been grappling with strong regional tensions due to the war in Gaza, as well as internal tensions caused by policies such as the imposition of the veil and the lack of freedoms.
As the president-elect, Pezeshkian will have significant decision-making powers, and his victory is seen as a hopeful sign for those seeking change in Iran. The election has been closely watched by the international community, with many experts analyzing its implications for the region and beyond [[2]][[3]].
Masoud Pezeshkian’s historic win in Iran’s presidential election marks a significant milestone in the country’s political history. As the first reformist president in years, Pezeshkian’s victory brings hope for a more open and moderate Iran, and his presidency will be closely watched by the international community.
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How might Masoud Pezeshkian’s reformist policies affect Iran’s economic relations with Western countries?
What are the potential implications of Masoud Pezeshkian’s presidency for Iran’s relation with Western countries?
In a landmark victory, reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian has won the presidential runoff election in Iran, marking a significant shift in the country’s political landscape [[1]]. As the first reformist president in years, Pezeshkian’s victory brings hope for a more open and moderate Iran, and his presidency will be closely watched by the international community.
Pezeshkian, a 69-year-old heart surgeon, and former health minister and parliamentarian, campaigned on a message of moderation, rapprochement with the West, and criticism of the veil [[1]]. His victory is seen as a hopeful sign for those seeking change in Iran, particularly in terms of improving relations with Western countries.
As president, Pezeshkian will have significant decision-making powers, particularly in domestic matters, and to a lesser extent, in foreign and security policy [[1]]. His presidency is likely to bring about a more open and moderate approach to governance, which could lead to improved relations with Western countries.
The implications of Pezeshkian’s presidency for Iran’s relations with Western countries are far-reaching. Firstly, his message of moderation and rapprochement could lead to increased diplomatic engagement between Iran and Western countries, potentially paving the way for improved economic and trade ties.
Secondly, Pezeshkian’s presidency may lead to a shift in Iran’s foreign policy, away from the rigid and conservative approach of his predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi, and towards a more pragmatic and cooperative approach [[2]]. This could lead to increased cooperation on regional security issues, such as the war in Gaza, and a reduction in tensions between Iran and Western countries.
Thirdly, Pezeshkian’s presidency may lead to increased attention to human rights and social freedoms in Iran, which could improve the country’s image in the eyes of Western countries and lead to increased international cooperation.
However, it is important to note that Pezeshkian’s presidency will also face significant challenges, particularly in terms of navigating the complex political landscape of Iran, where the Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, holds significant powers [[3]]. Additionally, the president-elect will need to balance the demands of his reformist supporters with the need to maintain stability and continuity in Iran’s governance.
Masoud Pezeshkian’s presidency holds significant implications for Iran’s relations with Western countries, potentially leading to improved diplomatic engagement, increased cooperation on regional security issues, and attention to human rights and social freedoms. However, the challenges ahead will require careful navigation and strategic decision-making to ensure that the
