Iran’s presidential elections: A second round between the two final candidates Pezeshkian and Jalili

Iran’s presidential election was left with only two candidates, the reformist candidates Masoud Pezeshkian and hardline conservative Saeed Jalili after they led the first round, which was marked by the weakest turnout since the establishment of the Islamic Republic in 1979.

Of the 24.54 million cards counted, Pezeshkian received 10.41 million votes, or 42%, ahead of Jalili, the former nuclear negotiator with 9.47 million votes, 38%.

Of the 14 presidential elections held since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, only the 2005 elections were decided in the second round.

Pezeshkian and Jalili were far ahead of conservative Shura Council Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who received 3.38 million votes, while Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi, the only cleric among the candidates, received only 206397 votes.

Interior Ministry election commission spokesman Mohsen Eslami told reporters that none of the candidates managed to get an absolute majority of the votes in the first round, so the first and second candidates will face off in a second round.

Some 61 million voters were called to take part in the hastily staged election after President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter accident on May 19.

However, only 24.54 million voters cast ballots despite a call by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday to participate, stressing that a high turnout is absolutely necessary.

Opponents, particularly from abroad, have called for a boycott of the elections.

The authorities had hoped to achieve a high turnout after the last presidential election in 2021, in which no reformist or moderate was allowed to run, was marked by a boycott of 51% of voters.

Only 41% of voters participated in the March legislative elections.

Iran, the Middle East’s backgammon power, is at the heart of many geopolitical crises, from the war in Gaza to the nuclear issue, which for many years has been a source of contention between the Islamic Republic and the West.

The confrontation will take place between two candidates who are very different in their orientations and programs, and will have an impact on the direction of the country, despite the limited powers granted to the president.

The primary responsibility for governing in the Islamic Republic lies with the Supreme Leader, who is considered the head of state.

The president is responsible at the head of his government for implementing the Supreme Leader’s political outlines.

Massoud Pezeshkian, (69), a surgeon, and a deputy from Tabriz, Iran’s largest city in northwestern Iran, with limited experience in government work limited to serving as health minister between 2001 and 2005 in the government of reformist President Mohammad Khatami.

He didn’t hesitate to criticize the authorities during the widespread protest movement that rocked Iran following the death of the young Mahsa Amini in September 2022 after her arrest for not adhering to the Islamic Republic’s strict dress code.

He calls for the revival of relations between Iran and Western countries, led by the United States, in order to lift the sanctions that are crippling the Iranian economy.

Saeed Jalili, (58), supports a tough approach to the West, which he proved during the six years he led negotiations on the Iranian nuclear file between 2007 and 2013.

Jalili enjoys the confidence of the Supreme Leader, which has enabled him to hold senior positions in the Islamic Republic.

He is currently one of Khamenei’s representatives in the Supreme National Security Council.