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Massoud Pezeshkian, 69, has surprised everyone by winning Iran’s presidential election, ending the conservative camp’s winning streak.
First appearance of the elected president, and first symbol: Massoud Pezeshkian at the mausoleum of Khomeini, founding father of the Islamic Republic. And the first words, as if to pledge allegiance: “I would like to thank the Supreme Leader, because without him I would not have been elected so easily”.
Massoud Pezeshkian, 69, was a doctor, parliamentarian and health minister in the 2000s. Little known to the general public, he caused a surprise by winning 53% of the vote. This reformer puts an end to a series of victories from the conservative era. On the question of the veil, Massoud Pezeshkian has pledged to oppose the morality police patrols, responsible for enforcing the obligation.
Another challenge for the new president is a serious economic crisis and international sanctions. During the campaign, France Télévisions interviewed him on the subject.We will try to resolve all misunderstandings, disagreements with everyone,” he had replied. But the new president’s room for maneuver is limited. In Iran, the main political guidelines are set by the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has been in power for 35 years. In the second round of the presidential election, barely half of Iranians turned out to vote.