Former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (2005-2013) registered this Sunday as a candidate for the early presidential elections on June 28 in Iran, a candidacy that still has to be approved by the Guardian Council.
“The most important motivation, objective and my work plan is to focus on solving people’s livelihood problems; promote and improve the business environment; end corruption, limit excessive government interference and create a platform for the development of internal and external investments”, said the former president in a brief press conference after registering his candidacy, as reported by the local news agency. Ahmadinejad also assured that he presents himself as a possible candidate due to “the desire of the people, who insistently asked their servant to enter this arena”.
Ahmadinejad succeeded the country’s first reformist president, Mohammad Khatami, in 2005 – who in 1999 brought an air of openness to the Islamic Republic of Iran. His presidency was very controversial, both abroad and domestically, but the former president continues to enjoy strong support among the popular classes, who trust that he can help them with financial matters, despite the economy having worsened during his term.
Iran began the registration of presidential candidates on Thursday, a process that will continue until Monday and then the Guardian Council will announce on June 11 who will be able to participate in the elections. So far, 25 candidates have registered for the June 28 presidential elections, which will be held following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian and six others on May 19 .
The elections will be held in a context of strong public discontent due to the poor economic situation and social repression, especially against women with the new campaign to reimpose the use of the veil. The recent parliamentary elections in March recorded the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republic’s 45 years, when just 41% of the electorate went to the polls. (With EFE Agency)
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