Iran announces presidential poll on May 19

AFP, TEHRAN: Iran’s Guardian Council announced Wednesday that next year’s presidential election will take place on May 19 with embattled incumbent Hassan Rouhani expected to run for a second term.
Rouhani, a moderate who oversaw a deal with world powers to end sanctions in exchange for curbing Iran’s nuclear programme, faces mounting pressure from conservatives who want to limit rapprochement with the West.
Hardliners argue the nuclear deal has brought few economic benefits to struggling Iranians, and Rouhani has also been hit by a scandal over exorbitant pay at public sector companies after payslips were leaked to the media.
Although the president is the public face of Iran to the world, real power remains with the supreme leader and institutions such as the Revolutionary Guards that are dominated by conservatives.

 

Iran announces presidential poll on May 19

AFP, TEHRAN: Irans Guardian Council announced Wednesday that next years presidential election will take place on May 19 with embattled incumbent Hassan Rouhani expected to run for a second term. Rouhani, a moderate who oversaw a deal with world powers to end sanctions in exchange for curbing Irans nuclear programme, faces mounting pressure from conservatives who want to limit rapprochement with the West. Hardliners argue the nuclear deal has brought few economic benefits to struggling Iranians, and Rouhani has also been hit by a scandal over exorbitant pay at public sector companies after payslips were leaked to the media. Although the president is the public face of Iran to the world, real power remains with the supreme leader and institutions such as the Revolutionary Guards that are dominated by conservatives.