Populist Figure
Openly Opposes Khamenei During Tenure
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (67), a prominent 'anti-Western hardliner' politician of Iran and former president, has registered to run in the by-election for president, AP and AFP reported on the 2nd (local time).
After completing his presidential candidacy registration at the Ministry of Interior building in Tehran, Iran, Ahmadinejad said, "I will engage constructively with the world and improve relations with all countries and economies," then shouted, "Long live spring (new life, new era)! Long live Iran!"
Ahmadinejad's supporters waved the Iranian flag and cheered him on, shouting "God is the greatest."
Ahmadinejad, a former member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, served as mayor of Tehran from 2003 to 2005 and was president for two consecutive terms from 2005 to 2013.
During his tenure, he pursued nuclear development, refused to recognize Israel as a state, and denied the Nazi Holocaust of the Jews, taking an extreme stance against Israel.
He is widely known for his statement, "We will wipe Israel off the map."
Within Iran, he gained significant support from the working class and the poor through populist policies. He emphasized a humble and frugal image by appearing in public wearing a gray jumper instead of a suit.
However, he has also been criticized for isolating Iran and plunging the country into economic and social darkness. When he was re-elected in the 2009 presidential election, allegations of election fraud sparked nationwide anti-government protests (the Green Movement), which the government harshly suppressed, resulting in dozens of deaths and thousands of arrests.
It is uncertain whether he will become the final presidential candidate.
This is because candidates for Iran's parliamentary and presidential elections must pass qualification screening and approval by the Guardian Council.
Ahmadinejad regained eligibility to run four years after stepping down from the presidency and challenged the 2017 and 2021 presidential elections but failed to pass the Guardian Council's screening.
Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Iran's top leader and the highest-ranking figure in the power hierarchy, warned ahead of the 2017 election that Ahmadinejad's return to the presidency could worsen polarization and harm the country.
During his presidency, Ahmadinejad openly defied the hierarchical order of Iran's senior clerics, including Khamenei.
AP noted that Ahmadinejad's registration as a candidate is a move to pressure Khamenei.
AP analyzed that although the Guardian Council is likely to reject Ahmadinejad again, it has yet to find a suitable candidate with Khamenei's full support.
Currently, centrist Ali Larijani, who served as parliamentary speaker for 12 years; moderate Hassan Rouhani, former president; Abdolnaser Hemmati, former governor of the Central Bank of Iran; and conservative Said Jalili, former nuclear negotiation representative, have registered as candidates.
Mohammad Mokhber, the current acting president and first vice president, has recently been seen meeting with Khamenei and is considered a strong presidential contender. The candidacy of reformist former president Mohammad Khatami is also attracting attention. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, parliamentary speaker classified as a staunch conservative and hardliner, is also expected to run.
Following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on the 19th of last month, Iran is holding a by-election on the 28th. Presidential candidate registration ends on the 3rd of this month.
The list of candidates approved by the Guardian Council is expected to be announced on the 11th.
Since this is an unscheduled election and tensions with Israel have intensified due to the Gaza Strip war, many expect that reformist and moderate applicants will not pass the qualification screening to maintain national stability.
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