After defeating his staunchly conservative opponent, Massoud Pezeshkian, affiliated with the reformist campaign, was chosen as the next president of Iran. Pezeshkian, cardiologist and a heart surgeon, obtained 53.3% of the votes, defeating his conservative rival. On the other side, Saeed Jalili secured the trust of 44.3% of voters.
Low turnout in the first round of presidential election a week earlier was followed by a higher popular participation in the second round. Officials announced a 49.8% turnout in the second round showing a 10% spike that was realized by the hot competition between the two candidates with hardline and reformist approaches.
Iranian parliamentarian Dr. Pezeshkian has voiced criticism of the country’s infamous morality police. His pledges of “unity and cohesion” and breaking the trend of the country’s “isolation” from the outside world created some controversy. In addition, he has urged positive talks with western nations over the revival of the collapsed 2015 nuclear agreement.
Securing the vote of over 16 million people, Pezeshkian has a hard job reviving Iran’s constructive and peaceful face in the region and across the world. Locally, the new president has to tackle with the economic downturn and rising inflation.
Early election in Iran was held following the death of former president in a helicopter crash less than two months ago.
