Hardline Conservative Raisi Elected in Iran Presidential Election... Inauguration in August

Raeesi Wins 62% of Votes... Reformist Hemmati Only 8.4%
Raeesi "Solving Livelihood Issues"

[Asia Economy International Department Reporter] In the Iranian presidential election, hardline conservative candidate Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi secured victory by an overwhelming margin.

The Iranian Ministry of Interior announced on the 19th (local time) that Raisi received 17,926,345 votes (approximately 61.9%), far ahead of his reformist rival Abdolnaser Hemmati, who garnered 2,427,201 votes (about 8.4%). Revolutionary Guard veteran Mohsen Rezaei came in second with 3,412,712 votes (approximately 11.8%).

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In this election, out of a total of 59,310,307 eligible voters, 28,933,004 participated, resulting in a final turnout rate of 48.8%. This is the lowest turnout rate recorded in presidential elections held since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Raisi, regarded as a leading hardline conservative cleric in Iran, served as the head of the judiciary, one of the three branches of government, until just before running for president in 2019.

He is also the vice chairman of the Assembly of Experts, which holds the authority to appoint the Supreme Leader in the event of death or incapacitation.

After the victory was confirmed, Raisi stated, "I will make every effort to solve the country's problems by utilizing the experience of the current administration, especially focusing on issues related to people's livelihoods."

President Hassan Rouhani visited Raisi immediately after the Ministry of Interior's announcement to hold talks and convey his congratulations.

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, commented on the day, "The great winner of yesterday is the Iranian people. The Iranian people rose up in the face of propaganda from media acting as mercenaries for the enemy."

Raisi, a cleric himself, studied under Khamenei at a seminary during his youth. He is also considered a leading candidate for the next Supreme Leader.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and ruler of Dubai, also sent congratulatory messages on Raisi's election victory.

The presidential term in Iran is four years, with the possibility of one re-election. Current President Rouhani, who was re-elected in 2017, will complete his term in August.