who is Massoud Pezeshkian, this reform candidate at the top of the polls who wants to bring the country out of its isolation?

Although this 69-year-old former Minister of Health does not question the system, he is nevertheless critical of the methods of repressing demonstrations against the wearing of the veil and has stated his objective of reconciling Iranians with each other.

The Iranians began on Friday June 28 to vote for a presidential election whose outcome promises to be uncertain due to the breakthrough of a reformer, Massoud Pezeshkian, against divided conservative candidates. In total, there are four candidates, all men in their fifties or sixties.

Former Minister of Health, the 69-year-old is supported by former reformist presidents Khatami and Rouhani against his competitors who advocate a hard line towards the West. Virtually unknown when he was authorized to compete by the Guardian Council, the authority responsible for supervising the elections, Massoud Pezeshkian is discreet in appearance but speaks frankly. He wants to bring Iran out of its isolation, explains Majid Farahani, the spokesperson for his campaign.

“Massoud Pezeshkian is different from other candidates: for example, he believes in getting rid of sanctions and restrictions and in improving relations between Iran and other countries.”

Majid Farahani, his campaign spokesperson

at franceinfo

With his reformist positions, Massoud Pezeshkian is leading the polls for the first round of this presidential election. 61 million Iranian voters will have to choose on Friday, June 28, between the sole representative of the reformist camp and conservative candidates, who has distinguished himself by his toughness towards the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement. This election was organized in haste after the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on May 19.

Without calling into question the system, Massoud Pezeshkian is nevertheless critical of the methods of repressing demonstrations against the wearing of the veil, and states the objective of reconciling Iranians among themselves. “You know that there are misunderstandings between the government and the Iranian people, especially with women”points out his spokesperson. “Massoud Pezeshkian thinks that we must support NGOs, political parties and associations so that people can express themselves freely. So he is different!”

The candidate, a doctor of Azeri origin, a minority in north-west Iran, gave hope to the reformist and moderate camps, totally marginalized in recent years by the conservatives and ultraconservatives. Opposing him, the supporters of the current power are divided between the candidates Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, conservative president of Parliament, and Saïd Jalili, former ultraconservative negotiator on the nuclear issue and hostile to a rapprochement with the West.

For his supporters, there is no doubt that Massoud Pezeshkian will qualify for the second round of the presidential election – which has only been the case during one presidential election, in 2005, since the advent of the Islamic Republic. 45 years ago – and could even, according to them, create a surprise by winning. The fact remains that, to hope to win, Massoud Pezeshkian must count on a strong increase in participation compared to the last elections, shunned by around half of the voters. Only 49% of them voted in the 2021 presidential election, for which no major reform or moderate candidate was allowed to compete.

Official results are expected no later than Sunday, but estimates are expected to be released on Saturday.