Politics Religious leader Khamenei opens run-off election in Iran

Iran's religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has opened the run-off election for the presidency in Iran by casting his vote. He called on the population to participate actively after almost 60 percent of eligible voters did not take part in the vote last week. "God willing, we will have a president tomorrow," said Khamenei in the capital Tehran.

Around 61 million people have been called to vote. Polling stations are open until 4.30 p.m. German time, an extension is possible. The first results are expected on Saturday. The election follows the death of incumbent Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash on May 19.

No free elections

In the run-off election, the politician Massud Peseschkian, who is considered a moderate in Iran, and the arch-conservative fundamentalist Said Jalili are running against each other. Observers expect a close race. The turnout is also likely to be decisive. On Wednesday, Khamenei rejected the interpretation that the low voter turnout was an expression of rejection of the political system.

Iran's political system has combined republican and theocratic features since the 1979 revolution. However, there are no free elections: the so-called Guardian Council, a powerful Islamic supervisory body, checks candidates for their ideological suitability. Criticism of the system is not tolerated. The real power is concentrated in the hands of the head of state, Khamenei. The Revolutionary Guards, Iran's elite military force, have also expanded their political and economic influence.

SDA