Iran's former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad registers for upcoming election

Ahmadinejad Returns: Iran's Former President Registers for June Election

Photo : AP

On Sunday, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran's hard-line former president, officially registered as a candidate for the June 28 presidential election. Ahmadinejad, who previously served from 2005 to 2013, is making a bid to reclaim the presidency following the tragic death of the nation's president in a helicopter crash.

Ahmadinejad's decision to run is likely to increase pressure on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. During his tenure, Ahmadinejad was known for his open challenges to Khamenei, and his candidacy was blocked in 2021. The former president's controversial political style and Holocaust-denying rhetoric come at a time of escalating tensions between Iran and the West over Iran's nuclear program, its support for Russia in the Ukraine conflict, and its harsh crackdowns on dissent.

This election is also drawing attention to Iran's regional activities, including its backing of militia groups across the Middle East. Ahmadinejad's re-entry into the political arena coincides with ongoing conflicts, such as Yemen's Houthi rebels targeting ships in the Red Sea amid the Israel-Hamas war.

Ahmadinejad is currently the most notable candidate to register. In his speech following registration, he pledged to seek "constructive engagement" with the international community and to improve economic relations globally. He emphasized the severity of the current economic, political, cultural, and security issues compared to when he left office in 2013.

Addressing the media with enthusiasm, Ahmadinejad proclaimed, "Long live the spring, long live Iran!" His arrival at the Interior Ministry was marked by supporters chanting and waving Iranian flags, celebrating his candidacy.

The upcoming election aims to find a successor for President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May. Other candidates who have registered include former parliament speaker Ali Larijani and former Central Bank chief Abdolnasser Hemmati. The acting president, Mohammad Mokhber, and former reformist President Mohammad Khatami are also potential candidates, though their participation remains uncertain.

The registration period for candidates will close on Tuesday, with the Guardian Council expected to announce the final list of candidates within ten days. This will lead to a brief two-week campaign before the election.

Ahmadinejad's previous tenure was marked by significant controversy, including a disputed re-election in 2009 that led to the Green Movement protests and a harsh government crackdown. Internationally, he became infamous for his extreme views, including Holocaust denial and comments about Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Despite his polarizing legacy, Ahmadinejad retains popularity among poorer Iranians for his populist policies and housing initiatives. Since leaving office, he has maintained a public profile through social media and open letters to world leaders, while also criticizing government corruption.

The Guardian Council, which oversees the election process, may again reject Ahmadinejad's candidacy, as it did in 2021. However, with the election approaching and no clear favorite emerging, Ahmadinejad's re-entry into the race adds a significant dynamic to Iran's political landscape.