The
June 18 election to succeed President Hassan Rouhani is seen as
a test of the country's clerical rulers.
Raisi is a 60-year-old mid-ranking cleric in Iran’s Shi’ite
Muslim establishment. Appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei as head of the judiciary in March 2019, he has emerged
as one of the country's most powerful figures and a contender to
succeed Khamenei.
Larijani, a former nuclear negotiator and an advisor to
Khamenei, is hoping to secure backing from both moderates and
hardliners and bridge the gap between them.
"I have come as an independent to the stage to make changes in
the executive management of the country and to fight poverty,
corruption, humiliation and discrimination," Raisi was quoted as
saying in a statement by local media before registering.
“I have come to form a strong people’s government for a strong
Iran” with the help of “the brave youth,” Raisi said, apparently
alluding to recent comments by Khamenei who said he expected a
“capable and energetic government” to come to power.
The judiciary chief lost to Rouhani in the 2017 presidential
election. Rouhani is barred by term limits from running again.
Reformists and rights activists say they are alarmed by Raisi's
background as a hardline judge, especially during the 1980s when
he was one of four judges who imposed death penalties on
thousands of political prisoners.
Candidates began signing up for the election on Tuesday, and the
clerical rulers are hoping for a high turnout. But voter
interest may be hit by rising discontent over an economy that
has been crippled by U.S. sanctions reimposed after Washington
exited a nuclear deal between Iran and major powers three years
ago.
Raisi said his government “will not lose one moment to lift the
oppressive sanctions”.
Registration of candidates ends on Saturday, after which
entrants will be screened for their political and Islamic
qualifications by the 12-member Guardian Council vetting body.
Six of the members of the hardline body are appointed by
Khamenei.
(Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by Sam Holmes and Frances
Kerry)
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