Pezeshkian initiates consultative process

Iran’s acting president, Mohammad Mokhber, met with the president-elect, Masoud Pezeshkian, on Sunday. During this crucial meeting, Mokhber presented a comprehensive report detailing the current state of executive affairs across various sectors, including political, economic, cultural, and social fields. This report aimed to provide the president-elect with a thorough understanding of the ongoing initiatives and challenges facing the nation.

Pezeshkian expressed his respect for the late President Ebrahim Raisi, acknowledging his tireless and dedicated efforts throughout his presidency. He also extended his gratitude to the administration's members for their relentless work following Raisi's martyrdom, highlighting the significant and effective steps taken by Mokhber to ensure the smooth operation of the government during this transitional period.

In another significant development, Saeed Jalili, the presidential election candidate and Pezeshkian's rival in the runoff election, met with the president-elect on Saturday night. 

This friendly meeting was marked by Jalili's congratulations to Pezeshkian on his election victory. The two discussed various national issues and Jalili shared his views and proposed solutions.

Pezeshkian emphasized the importance of not only having plans but also employing experts to ensure these plans are successfully implemented. He expressed his readiness to receive Jalili's opinions and suggestions, demonstrating a willingness to incorporate diverse perspectives into his administration.

Ali Akbar Nateq Nuri, the former Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran, met with the president-elect on Saturday.

Nateq Nuri congratulated Pezeshkian on his victory in Iran's presidential elections, wishing success for the elected president of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Veteran parliamentarian Pezeshkian emerged victorious in Iran's runoff presidential election, as announced by the interior ministry. 

The election concluded a tight race, with voters turning out in significant numbers on Friday. Pezeshkian received over 16 million votes, surpassing his rival Saeed Jalili, who garnered more than 13 million votes from the total of over 30 million votes cast.

"By gaining a majority of the votes cast on Friday, Pezeshkian has become Iran's next president," stated the interior ministry. 

Pezeshkian's victory marks the end of an intense electoral process and positions him as Iran’s 9th president.

Pezeshkian originally ran against a field of five candidates last week, winning the largest number of votes but falling short of a majority which sent him and Jalili to a second round.  

 

What next for Iranian President Hassan Rouhani?

Incumbent President Hassan Rouhani, who sought re-election, won a landslide victory. He got 23.549 million votes out of a total of more than 41 million votes and his arch-rival Ebrahim Raisi got 15.786 million votes.

Iranians seeking greater freedoms have voted for President Hassan Rouhani, to secure second term. However, he is likely to face resistance by the hardliner.

There is perception that Rouhani will face more pressure in his second term as it is feared that the hardliners will create more problems for him.

Rouhani has decisively defeated Khamenei's protégé, hard-line judge Ebrahim Raisi, but the supreme leader still makes the ultimate decisions on policy, and his conservative faction still controls the judiciary and security forces.

They (hardliners) may re-assert their dominance at home by more confrontation abroad, by extending Iran's interventions in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East. They also fear more confrontational policy with the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.

However, certain quarters believe that since economy is the top priority of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Rouhani's liberal economic policies are likely to get his endorsement, like the cautious support he got for the nuclear deal.

Rouhani, landslide victory in 2013 was on a promise to reduce Iran's diplomatic isolation, spent most of his time on the nuclear agreement with six powers that resulted in a lifting of most sanctions in return for curbs on Tehran's nuclear program.

Rouhani will have to find an accommodation with them, or end up like his reformist predecessor Mohammad Khatami, who whetted Iranians' appetite for change but failed to deliver it during two terms from 1997-2005.

The silver lining is that Rouhani has built his reputation as an establishment figure who could deliver some of the aims sought by reformists without alienating conservatives.

The added advantage is, Rouhani is a regime insider. He is loyal to the establishment. He is not a reformist but a bridge between hardliners and reformists.