Author: Shabnam von Hein

In the Iranian presidential elections, no candidate secured over 50% of the vote, leading to a run-off between Masoud Pezeshkian and Saeed Jalili. With record-low voter turnout in the first round, experts doubt a significant increase in participation in the run-off. Jalili, an ultraconservative figure, remains a divisive candidate despite endorsements from other conservative contenders. Pezeshkian, a moderate, has pledged loyalty to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and aims to build trust with the population. However, the Iranian political system’s discrimination against women continues to be a focal issue, as highlighted by journalist Aliyeh Motallebzadeh. The Global Gender Gap Report for 2023…

Iranian Presidential Election 2024: A Race to Replace Late President Raisi Iranians are gearing up for the polls on June 28 to elect a new president following the tragic death of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. The Guardian Council initially approved six candidates, but just a day before the election, candidate Amirhossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi withdrew to consolidate the conservative vote. Remaining candidates include the ultraconservative Saeed Jalili and moderate Masoud Pezeshkian. Pezeshkian, a cardiac surgeon, has criticized strict policies and aims to bridge the gap between the government and the population. Despite low voter turnout in past elections, hopes…