the disillusioned youth of Tehran before the presidential election in Iran

After the death of President Ebrahim Raisi, killed in a helicopter accident, on May 19, Iranians are called to the polls in an uncertain political climate.

In this district of central Tehran, young people meet to escape the strict morality of power. Everyone admits: they suffer from Iran’s disconnection from the outside world. In Iran, the youth vote in the presidential election, Friday June 28, will be one of the keys to the election.

In this country of 85 million inhabitants, 60% of whom are under 30 years old, many young people are disillusioned: the repression against the compulsory wearing of the veil, daily censorship and the absence of professional prospects have undermined the illusions of many of them. At the Nook Café, Babak, a computer scientist, enjoys his espresso with a friend. He can no longer bear the isolation of his country.

“We are like a small island. Iran is attached to Russia, to China… We must break that. We must collapse this island and, on the contrary, we must connect to other countries in the world.”

Babak, a young Iranian

to franceinfo

Across the street, at Type café, Chirine, who works in new technologies, devours her omelette with oriental spices. Now living in Austria, she convinced her boyfriend to join her because she can no longer stand the censorship of those in power. “I was working here for two years for a German company and the Internet speed was reduced more and more. I couldn’t work anymore! Everything is controlled, WhatsApp is closed, Telegram too, Instagram the same… There is nothing” she gets annoyed.

In the camp of supporters of the regime, change of atmosphere: we are mobilizing. Zahra, a housewife, believes that the moment is serious for the country. For her, going to the polls is more than a political act: “According to the Supreme Leader, voting is a religious duty. We have to go to the polls, because we are under very strict sanctions. This problem must be tackled. I hope the situation will improve“.

The previous presidential election in 2021 was marked by a record abstention rate since the Islamic Revolution. The youth had deserted the polling stations. Mohamed, a retired teacher, denounces those who would once again like to avoid the polls: “There is the path of wisdom and that of sin.

“Wisdom is what the Supreme Leader preaches against the sins of social networks which advocate abstention.”

Mohamed, supporter of the Iranian regime

to franceinfo

For supporters of the regime. The most important thing is to ensure the political continuity of President Raïs, who died in a helicopter accident.