Iran prepares to choose a new president

EVERY four years, Iran’s theocracy plays at electing a president. Pre-approved candidates take part in a process designed to give the system a mandate while, at the same time, preventing anyone acquiring a power base that might challenge Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader for the past 28 years. At the most recent election, in 2013, Mr Khamenei’s men barred Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani from competing for a third term. This time, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, another would-be third-timer, was disqualified, along with 1,629 other candidates, including all 137 women.

That leaves six competing in the election, with the first round taking place on May 19th. Hassan Rouhani, a clergyman and the incumbent, is the predictable, if plodding, front-runner. Since 1981 all Iran’s presidents have served two terms, and in last year’s parliamentary elections his allies did well. His rivals hardly look threatening. Eshaq Jahangiri, the vice-president, and Mostafa Hashemitaba, a former Olympic...Continue reading

Source: Middle East and Africa http://ift.tt/2rqCn6D

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