Iran political camps jockey for position ahead of presidential election

Iran’s rival Reformist and Principlist political camps have taken more definite steps towards contesting the country’s 2017 presidential election.

The country of 80 million people will hold its 12th presidential election in May under the supervision of the Guardian Council which is tasked with vetting the candidates, Press TV reported.

Mohammd-Reza Aref, who competed in the previous polls and heads the Reformist Supreme Policymaking Council, on Monday officially announced support for incumbent President Hassan Rouhani’s candidacy.

Hossein-Ali Amiri, the Iranian vice president for parliamentary affairs, announced Rouhani’s intention to join the competition late last month.

The Principlists have also launched into determined campaigning to make up for the camp’s defeat in the previous round.

The Popular Front of Islamic Revolution Forces, which includes Principlist personalities, had its Central Council hold a plenary session recently. On Monday, the Council produced a list of 14 of its “best candidates” following the plenum but fell short of naming its main contestant.

The list features such names as Sa'eed Jalili and former commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, Mohsen Reza’ei, who likewise contested the previous elections.

SS