Iran elects president with women as key issue, but without Khamenei’s ‘OK’ the elections will be meaningless

The Supreme Leader’s command to rule the Iranian people comes from God. For this reason, elections and popular participation are of little significance, as they require the approval of religious authority, regardless of what the ballot boxes dictate.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei He said in a speech on Thursday that Iran has enemies, but these elections could help overthrow them if the international community sees “high participation of the people in these elections.” He clarified that “Iran’s strength is not found in the possession of an arsenal of missiles, but in its origins.” active participation of its citizens in the electoral process”,

Elections in March to elect members of parliament and the Assembly of Experts had 41% participation, the lowest percentage recorded since the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

Iran’s system of government is based on the principle of Shia origin Velayat-e Faqihwhich justifies The clergy’s mandate over the state gives it political authority in addition to religious authority. Since 1989, Khamenei has held the title of Supreme Leader and is, therefore, the head of state, moral and social commander in chief, having authority over the national police; controls the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Iranian Army) and its paramilitary branch, the Basij Resistance Force.

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In a country where the government is religious, the position of the president is less important. The Iranian constitution states that the president is responsible for state planning and budget, administrative affairs and civil services. Is he In charge of signing treaties, conventions and agreements made by Tehran with the governments of other countries. It also confers state decorations and medals.

Open way

There are six candidates in this election, one of whom is not a Conservative. Masoud Pezeshkian, The former health minister has in the past opposed a bill imposing an Islamist dress code introduced by parliament. The former health minister belongs to the “central” Iranian political faction that opposes the conservative faction that is defined by strict rules in the political and religious sphere (such as the mandatory use of the hijab) in addition to control over the Internet and the press, thus protecting revolutionary ideals.

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It is believed that Pezeshkian, if he wins the presidency, will resume the former president’s political agenda Hasan Ruhani (2013-2021) Contacting the United States and other Western countries, reopening communication channels, continuing negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program and the imposed sanctions that have destroyed the country’s economy.

Rouhani, who is considered a reformist for his less conservative policies, supports Pezeshkian, as does the former president Mohammad Khatami (1997-2005). Rouhani had been highly critical of Raisi’s work and accused him of evading Western sanctions and obstructing the right to freedom of expression and criticism by the authorities.

for its part, Mohammad Baqer QalibafThe speaker of the Iranian Parliament and former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, will take up Raisi’s conservative political agenda and Will strengthen diplomatic relations with China and RussiaAs is the case with neighbouring countries in the region.

Women, the central theme

The issues that will define the outcome of these elections are initiatives to resist Western sanctions (which they call unfair), the Iranian economy facing inflation of over 40%, long-term political stability, and. Promoting women’s participation in public spacesWomen’s rights are a key factor in the debate this year following the death of Mahsa Amini and the protests in 2022, where more than 20,000 people were arrested and where, according to the United Nations, 551 lost their lives.

In 2023, the government passed the Chastity and Hijab Bill, which has a trial period of three years. If the law is broken, for example by wearing the hijab incorrectly in public, or men wearing clothes that reveal body parts below the chest or above the ankle, the person can be punished Fines between $4,260 and $8,520 And up to 10 years in prisonin addition to being banned from traveling for two years. This law also affects establishments, which have similar limitations on dressing their mannequins in a way that the government does not consider indecent.