Iran Presidential Race Heats Up with TV Debates
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Six men running for the Iranian presidency have faced off in three rounds of nationally televised debates to discuss economic and cultural issues, defend their plans, and criticize those of the rivals.
Known as the most-watched programs in the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting history, the three previous debates revolved around the economic problems, fair administrative services, and cultural affairs.
The candidates are going to make last-ditch efforts in the two remaining debates on June 24 and 25 to attract voters.
Allotted equal minutes of speaking time each, the candidates explicate their plans to deal with the country’s major economic, political and cultural problems after taking the office.
The candidates have been singled out by the Constitutional Council from 80 applicants seeking the presidency.
The six candidates are Saeed Jalili, Alireza Zakani, Amir Hossein Qazizadeh Hashemi, Mostafa Pourmohammadi, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, and Masoud Pezeshkian.
In remarks on June 22, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei advised the presidential candidates to refrain from making statements during their televised campaigns that would please the enemy.
“The assumption is that all candidates love Iran and the Islamic Republic, that’s because they aspire to become president within this system and in order to serve the people,” the Leader said.
The election campaign period began on June 9 and will run until June 26, while the nationwide presidential election will be held on Friday, June 28.
The new administration, the 14th one after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, will assume power in late June or early July and hold office for four years.
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his entourage crashed in northwestern mountainous forests on May 19, killing the president, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and six others.
According to the Constitution, First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber has taken the helm as the acting president at the discretion of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei until the election of a new president.