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Massoud Pezeshkian, a 69-year-old lawmaker and reformer, defeated ultra-conservative Saïd Jalili in the second round of Iran’s presidential election on Saturday. Preliminary results showed that Pezeshkian received more than 16 million votes, while his opponent received 13 million votes in the election hastily organized after the death of President Ibrahim Raisi.
Massoud Pezeshkian, known for advocating Iran’s opening to the West, urged his countrymen to work with him to overcome the challenges ahead. “The road ahead of us is difficult. It will be easy only through your cooperation, empathy and trust. I extend my hand to you,” he announced on X after declaring victory. Jalili, for his part, called on his supporters to respect the results and support the new president.
The election was held in an atmosphere of popular discontent, exacerbated by the economic crisis caused by international sanctions. Turnout ultimately reached 49.8%, with high abstention rates in the first round. Iranian voters, facing growing economic hardship, expressed their desire for change by electing a reformer.
Despite this victory, Mr. Pezeshkian will still have to deal with a system where the president’s power is limited by the authority of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His commitment to building “constructive relations” with the United States and European countries to bring Iran out of isolation will be tested. The dominance of conservatives over other national institutions will pose a major obstacle to his reforms.
Massoud Pezeshkian, nicknamed “Doc” by many Iranians and raising his children alone after a tragic car accident, sees himself as a voice for the voiceless. His election was seen as a breakthrough in a series of national elections dominated by conservatives.
The election is closely watched by the international community, with Iran playing a central role in several geopolitical crises, including the Gaza war and the nuclear issue. While Pezeshkian advocates for a more open Iran, his opponent, Saeed Jalili, is known for his intransigent stance against Western powers. The issue of mandatory veiling for women, a hot topic after the 2022 protests, will also be a challenge for the new president.
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