Huge turnout as Iranians deliver verdict on Rouhani

TEHRAN: Iranians poured into polling stations on Friday to deliver their verdict on President Hassan Rouhani and his troubled efforts to rebuild ties with the world and kickstart the struggling economy, reports AFP.
There was a festive atmosphere in Tehran where Rouhani, a 68-year-old moderate cleric who spearheaded a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, was mobbed by cheering supporters as he cast his ballot in a mosque in the city centre. "The enthusiastic participation of Iranians in the election reinforces our national power and security," he said, as polling stations reported morning queues were far bigger than usual.
Rouhani, who has framed the vote as a choice between greater civil liberties and "extremism", faces stiff competition from hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi, 56, who has positioned himself as a defender of the poor and called for a much tougher line with the West."We must all respect the vote of the people," Raisi said as he cast his ballot in southern Tehran.Raisi has targeted working-class voters hit by high unemployment and austerity measures, as well as those who worry the values of the 1979 revolution are under threat."His main focus is deprived people and he wants to fight corruption," said Mohsen, a 32-year-old Raisi supporter.
"Our country is surrounded by enemies -- if we don't strengthen our domestic situation, we will be harmed."- US threat - Rouhani's central achievement was a deal with six powers led by the United States that eased crippling economic sanctions in exchange for curbs to Iran's nuclear programme.

 

Huge turnout as Iranians deliver verdict on Rouhani

TEHRAN: Iranians poured into polling stations on Friday to deliver their verdict on President Hassan Rouhani and his troubled efforts to rebuild ties with the world and kickstart the struggling economy, reports AFP. There was a festive atmosphere in Tehran where Rouhani, a 68-year-old moderate cleric who spearheaded a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, was mobbed by cheering supporters as he cast his ballot in a mosque in the city centre. The enthusiastic participation of Iranians in the election reinforces our national power and security, he said, as polling stations reported morning queues were far bigger than usual. Rouhani, who has framed the vote as a choice between greater civil liberties and extremism, faces stiff competition from hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi, 56, who has positioned himself as a defender of the poor and called for a much tougher line with the West.We must all respect the vote of the people, Raisi said as he cast his ballot in southern Tehran.Raisi has targeted working-class voters hit by high unemployment and austerity measures, as well as those who worry the values of the 1979 revolution are under threat.His main focus is deprived people and he wants to fight corruption, said Mohsen, a 32-year-old Raisi supporter. Our country is surrounded by enemies -- if we dont strengthen our domestic situation, we will be harmed.- US threat - Rouhanis central achievement was a deal with six powers led by the United States that eased crippling economic sanctions in exchange for curbs to Irans nuclear programme.