Iran's Masoud Pezeshkian is set to be inaugurated as the Islamic Republic's ninth president in early August, according to state media reports on Sunday. The official IRNA news agency cited Mojtaba Yosefi, a member of parliament's presiding board, stating, "The inauguration ceremony for the president is scheduled for August 4 or 5." Pezeshkian will have 15 days to submit his proposed cabinet members to parliament for a vote of confidence. Iranian presidents-elect must take an oath before parliament before assuming office. This ceremony follows the president-elect's receipt of formal approval from the Islamic Republic's supreme leader. Although Iran's president is not the head of state, the supreme leader holds ultimate authority, a position currently held by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for the past 35 years. Pezeshkian emerged victorious in a runoff election on Friday against ultraconservative Saeed Jalili, succeeding President Ebrahim Raisi who passed away in a helicopter crash in May. The 69-year-old reformist garnered over 16 million votes, approximately 54 percent, while Jalili received more than 13 million votes, roughly 44 percent, from about 30 million cast ballots. Turnout was 49.8 percent, as reported by Iran's Election Headquarters spokesperson Mohsen Eslami, an increase from the first round's record low of about 40 percent. On Sunday, Iranian newspapers featured front-page photos of Pezeshkian, urging "unity" under the new president-elect.
Text: Lara Palmer
07.07.2024
Reformist Pezeshkian wins runoff election, set to succeed Raisi after supreme leader's endorsement