The second candidates debate took place on Tuesday afternoon.
Summary of the Second Candidates Debate
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Ghazizadeh’s Priorities: Women, Health and the Economy
Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi said the three priorities of his campaign are women, health and the economy. Zahra Sheikhi, a spokesperson for Ghazizadeh’s campaign, outlined the priorities on the candidate’s behalf today, stating that his food subsidy and plan for tackling COVID are central to his intentions for improving health and the economy in Iran.
Ghazizadeh Capitalises on Debate Performance
Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi appeared on television today to reiterate his plans for government after his well-received performance in the electoral debate the night before. Ghazizadeh covered economic, social and political problems, stating that he believed in a rule of law and felt close to the people of Iran. On the issue of factionalism, he stated that “Iran’s main problem is not about being Principalist or Reformist, the problem is in the approach [to government]; there must be a transformation in the government”.
Summary of the First Election Debate
Click the headline for a summary of the first candidates’ debate of the campaign.
Ghazizadeh Documentary Airs
The first of three documentaries produced for Amir-Hossein Ghzaizadeh Hashemi’s campaign aired tonight on national television. In the film, Ghazizadeh promotes his plans for Iran, “a government of peace”, as well as his image, introducing his family life. The film drew criticism online, with many Iranians calling the production derivative of the work of Iranian director Iraj Maleki. Another scene where Ghazizadeh spreads out a dining cloth (sofreh) over a carpet has been compared to the family garden scene in Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s 2005 campaign documentary. Each candidate has been allocated airtime and resources to produce three half-hour campaign documentaries.
Click on the headline to watch the full documentary on YouTube
Ghazizadeh: I Will Give Each Iranian a $70 Food Package
In a different approach to promises of subsidies, Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi said he will provide each Iranian with a 300,000 toman food package ($70 US) in the interest of public health. Ghazizadeh said his first priority was economic stability alongside dealing with the housing shortage in Iran.
Warning not to Lie about Subsidy Promises
Ali Rabii, the official spokesperson for the Government of Iran, criticised promises of subsidies made by a number of candidates. Rabii described many of the promises as “imaginary” and warned them about lying to voters, saying any promises should be backed up with an economic plan. Ghazizadeh, Rezaei and Zakani have all made promises of subsidies in recent days.
Ghazizadeh: Every Young Couple to Receive $20,000
Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi promised that if elected, he will give 500 million tomans, roughly $20,000 US, to each young couple to help with the costs of marriage and housing. While promises of subsidies are common in election seasons, this is a particularly large promise.
The Interior Ministry Announces Candidates
The official list of candidates approved by the Guardian Council was announced this afternoon at the Election Headquarters by the Ministry of Interior. The list, which was one of Iran’s worst kept secrets, includes seven names: Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi, Abdol-Naser Hemmati, Saeed Jalili, Mohsen Mehr-Alizadeh, Ebrahim Raisi, Mohsen Rezaei and Ali-Reza Zakani. Notable disqualifications include Ali Larijani and Eshaq Jahangiri, most of whom accepted disqualification, with the expected exception of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The only Reformist among their number is Mehr-Alizadeh.
Three Live Candidates’ Debates will be Televised
Ehsan Ghazizadeh Hashemi, a member of the Presidential Election Campaign Review Commission, announced plans to hold three live televised debates with the candidates over the election campaign. Each candidate will also have two documentaries outlining their lives and electoral programs. Ghazizadeh is the brother of one of the candidates, Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi.