Masoud Pezeshkian recently won the presidential election in Iran. Many hope his leadership will bring economic and social reforms. As a moderate reformist, he may address the severe economic challenges, such as 40% inflation and high unemployment. These issues are worsened by international sanctions and recent protests.
Pezeshkian aimed to reduce voter abstention, especially among the youth. Iran’s young population, with an average age of 27, played a significant role in recent protests. These protests followed the death of Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish-Iranian student. The 2022 protests were harshly suppressed, resulting in at least 600 deaths and thousands of arrests, drawing international criticism.
Pezeshkian reached out to the Iranian people through social media. He said, “Dear Iranian people, the elections are over, and this is just the beginning of our cooperation. The difficult path ahead will not be easy without your company, empathy, and trust. I extend my hand to you and swear on my honour that I will not leave you alone on this path. Don’t leave us alone.”
Expert Insights on Pezeshkian’s Victory
We spoke with journalist and writer Farian Sabahi, PhD, a senior researcher in Contemporary History at the University of Insubria and author of “History of Iran.” Sabahi discussed whether Pezeshkian’s victory could lead to economic and social reforms.
Pezeshkian, a protégé of former Foreign Minister Zarif and moderate President Hassan Rouhani, has promised to extend a “hand of friendship to everyone” in foreign policy, except Israel. This raises questions about his approach to the ongoing Ukraine and Gaza Strip conflicts.
Election and Political Landscape
The second round of the presidential election took place on July 5, following the unexpected death of former President Ebrahim Raisi. Pezeshkian, a former health minister with an Azeri father and Kurdish mother, won with 53.6% of the vote, defeating his ultra-conservative opponent Saeed Jalili, who received 44.3%.
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei advised Pezeshkian to “follow the example of your predecessor.” Many political leaders, including Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Saudi Prince Bin Salman, and Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, sent congratulatory messages. Russia expressed hope for a stronger alliance with Tehran.
Upcoming Inauguration
Pezeshkian’s inauguration is expected between July 22 and August 5. However, he must first be officially approved by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a ceremony known as the tanfiz. There are rumors that his government team might include women and members of linguistic minorities, a significant shift opposed by radicals.
Each minister needs approval from Parliament, controlled by ultraconservatives and chaired by Pezeshkian’s former rival, Mohammad Bagher Galibaf. Sensitive ministerial positions also require non-objection from Khamenei, while the presidency retains decision-making power on national and some foreign policy issues.
Conclusion
The election of Masoud Pezeshkian has sparked discussions on the potential for economic and social reforms in Iran. As a moderate reformist, his presidency could bring changes, but he faces significant challenges from the existing political structure and international tensions. The coming months will reveal how Pezeshkian navigates these obstacles to renew Iran.
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