Iran’s six candidates vying for the presidency in Friday’s election have wrapped up their campaigns allowing for a day of reflection before the vote.
So far none of the three main hardliners including Saeed Jalili, Iran’s nuclear negotiator, appears to be ahead in the contest. He alone among the candidates is defending Iran’s current robust, ideologically driven foreign policy.
However fellow hardliner, former Mayor of Tehran, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has largely avoided ideology preferring to focus on economics.
Whoever does win will inherit an economy struggling under the weight of international sanctions imposed over Iran’s disputed nuclear system.
The other major hardline hopeful, former foreign minister Ali Akbar Velayati also agrees with the substance of Iran’s present policies.
The one man to be considered a moderate among the conservative dominated line up is Hassan Rowhani. Momentum has been building behind him due to the lack of any real reformer for liberal Iranians to support.
All six presidential hopefuls have stressed their support of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – the man who holds the real power in Iran.
More about: Iran elections 2013, Presidential elections
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