Masoud Pezeshkian, a prominent reformist politician, has been declared the winner of Iran’s 2024 presidential election. Pezeshkian secured 53.7% of the vote in the runoff held on July 5, defeating hardliner Saeed Jalili, who garnered 44.3% of the votes. The results, released on July 6, signal a potential shift in Iran’s political landscape towards more moderate and reformist policies.
Pezeshkian’s victory comes in the wake of a politically turbulent period marked by the sudden death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash last month. This tragic event prompted the need for early elections, which were conducted under intense public and international scrutiny. According to sources, Pezeshkian’s platform focused on economic reforms, enhancing social freedoms, and improving Iran’s international relations, particularly by advocating for the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
In his victory speech, Pezeshkian emphasized the importance of transparency in governance and tackling corruption to improve the living conditions of ordinary Iranians. “The country’s problems cannot be solved with populist slogans,” Pezeshkian stated. “We need expert work and the experience of the world to manage our economy effectively”.
The election results revealed that Pezeshkian won 16.3 million votes, while his opponent Jalili received 13.5 million votes. The election turnout was moderate, reflecting a public eager for change but also weary from years of economic hardship and political repression. Notably, voter turnout declined in 30 of Iran’s 31 provinces compared to the 2021 presidential election, with the only increase observed in Qom province, a stronghold of Shiite seminaries and regime supporters.
Pezeshkian’s campaign was marked by his calls for social justice, equal rights for women, and improving relations with Western countries. During the debates, he distinguished himself from his opponents by focusing on pragmatic solutions to Iran’s economic woes and advocating for more personal freedoms. His message resonated particularly well in provinces with significant ethnic minority populations, where he championed inclusion and diversity.
However, Pezeshkian faces significant challenges ahead. Iran’s economy is struggling under the weight of severe international sanctions, and inflation rates have soared, eroding the purchasing power of ordinary citizens. Unemployment, particularly among university graduates, remains high, further exacerbating public discontent. Pezeshkian has pledged to address these issues through comprehensive economic reforms and by seeking to re-engage with the international community to lift sanctions.
Pezeshkian’s stance on foreign policy includes restarting discussions with the United States regarding Iran’s nuclear program. He aims to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to alleviate the economic pressure from international sanctions. Additionally, while advocating for improved relations with most countries, Pezeshkian maintains a firm stance against Israel, continuing to support the “Axis of Resistance”.
Domestically, Pezeshkian has pledged to uphold the rights of Iran’s diverse ethnic groups, including Azeris, Kurds, and Baluchis. He supports the implementation of Article 15 of the Iranian Constitution, which allows for the use of local and ethnic languages in education and media alongside Persian, in an effort to reduce separatist sentiments.
Pezeshkian’s election marks a pivotal moment for Iran, with the potential for significant shifts in both domestic and foreign policy. As he prepares to take office between July 22 and August 5, pending parliamentary approval of his resignation from his current role, the nation and the world will be closely watching how his administration addresses the myriad challenges facing Iran
