Iran is currently in the midst of an important political period, with presidential elections attracting considerable national and international attention. After a first round which saw no candidate obtain more than 50% of the votes, the country is preparing for a historic second round opposing a reformist and a radical conservative.
Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist MP, and Saeed Jalili, an ultraconservative former nuclear negotiator, are the two candidates vying to succeed former President Ebrahim Raisi. The first round was marked by historically low turnout, highlighting the growing discontent of a population losing confidence in the country’s clerical establishment.
The stakes in this second round are colossal. Pezeshkian and Jalili represent diametrically opposed political visions that could shape Iran’s future in a critical period marked by economic challenges, restive youth movements and growing tensions with Israel and the United States.
The snap election was triggered by the death of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash last May, along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other officials. Three conservatives and one reformist competed for the country’s top job, with the Guardian Council excluding many other candidates.
Despite Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s calls for “maximum” participation to strengthen the Islamic Republic, only 40% of the 60 million registered voters went to the polls. This low participation rate reflects a deep unease with the Iranian political system, particularly due to the process of selecting candidates by the Guardian Council.
Major changes seem to be taking shape between the two rounds. Conservatives, including supporters of Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in the first round, now appear to be turning to the reformist Pezeshkian to the detriment of his conservative opponent Jalili. This divide within the conservative camp reflects a broader unease within Iranian society, even among those traditionally allied with the regime.
The unexpected support of some key members of the conservative elite for Pezeshkian illustrates the growing divisions within Iran’s political class, calling into question the cohesion of the conservative camp. The political situation in Iran appears increasingly complex, with traditionally allied actors moving away from each other to support candidates with divergent visions.
The second round of this crucial presidential election will determine Iran’s political course for years to come. Every vote counts as the country faces major internal and external challenges. The choice between Pezeshkian and Jalili is not only a political decision for Iran, but it could also have significant repercussions on the international stage, influencing the country’s relations with its partners around the world. See you for this second round which promises to be decisive for the future of Iran and its place on the world stage.