Iran's Presidential Election Sees Nine Candidates Registered So Far, Including Conservatie Heavyweight and Previously Barred Moderate
Nine presidential hopefuls have so far registered their candidacy to run in Iran's June 28 election, including a conservative heavyweight and a moderate who was previously barred from running in the 2021 presidential election. The registration period opened on May 30 and will close on June 3, with the final list of approved candidates set to be released on June 11. Among the notable candidates are former chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, who has long championed a hardline stance against the West. Another prominent figure who has signed up is Ali Larijani, a former parliament speaker and nuclear negotiator who hinted at receiving the Iranian leader's blessing to run. Additionally, Abdolnasser Hemmati, a moderate former central bank chief, and Mostafa Kavakebian, a reformist politician, have also thrown their hats in the ring. Speculation in Iranian media suggests that more prominent conservative names and low-profile reformist figures may register in the coming days. The elections come amidst a backdrop of record-low turnouts in recent Iranian elections, with many moderate and reformist candidates being disqualified. Analysts suggest that public disillusionment with the establishment has reached a point where even if moderate voices were allowed to run, it may not significantly impact voter turnout.
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