On June 28, Iran held the first round of voting to elect a new President, necessitated by the death of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May. Since neither of the top two candidates —
  • 69-year-old cardiac surgeon Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist, and
  • 58-year-old hardliner saeed jalili —
won more than 50% of votes, they will face off in a runoff election on July 5. HOW IS THE PRESIDENT ELECTED? Many people apply to become candidates but the establishment oversees the Selection process, and only vetted candidates can contest. Most candidates are from the establishment, and only a few reformists can enter The fray. People vote directly for the candidates. Securing more than 50% votes is Necessary. This presidential elections has witnessed only 40% voter turnout with no candidate surpassing the 50% mark in the first round. POLITICS IN IRAN Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, Iran’s politics has developed between two poles.
  • On the one side are the conservatives who want to strictly adhere to the tenets of Twelver Shi’ism, Iran’s state religion, and want to implement its religious codes across society. They frame the Revolution as a radical assertion against Western imperialism, and enjoy massive support, especially among the poorer sections of the population.
  • On the other side are the so-called ‘reformists’ who, while remaining loyal to the Revolution, want more flexibility both in domestic and international matters. For instance, they support greater rights for women, strengthening civil society and Human rights; they also want free elections and more conciliatory relations with the West.
The tussle between conservatives and reformists has been the central theme in Iranian politics. IRAN’S PRESIDENT V/S SUPREME LEADER Iran’s President operates within the overall authority of the Supreme Leader. But he is nonetheless a powerful figure in the Iranian political structure, with a significant role In determining how the country functions.
  • He plays a crucial role in mediating between the legislature and the executive, and appoints ministers and vice presidents.
  • The President also makes key foreign policy decisions.
    • Then President Hassan Rouhani acted with significant authority during the JCPOA negotiations.
    • Among Raisi’s major achievements was the Iran-Saudi deal, brokered by china.
    • It was he who raised the pitch for an ‘Axis of Resistance’ — an informal, Iran-led political-military coalition comprising the Islamic resistance in Iraq, the Syrian government, the Lebanese Hezbollah, Yemeni Houthis, and Palestinian groups including Hamas.
CAN THE PRESIDENT’S AUTHORITY BE SUPERCEDED? The Iranian President’s authority is superseded only in the event of a clash between him and the Supreme Leader — which has only happened during reformist Governments. It is important to note, however, that the Supreme Leader does not have to be a conservative. Iran’s religious clergy is not a monolith, and there are many liberal ayatollahs (high clerics in Twelver Shi’ism). In fact, it was a liberal cleric and human rights activist named Hussein Ali Montazeri who was designated as the successor of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, and the conservative Ayatollah Ali Khamenei became Supreme Leader Only after a power struggle.