Iran will hold its next presidential election on June 12, 2009, the Fars news agency reported on Sunday.
The Guardian Council, the Islamic Republic''s constitutional watchdog, which reports directly to Iran''s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has approved the date earlier proposed by the interior ministry.
It will be the 10th presidential election in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
According to local observers, the main intrigue of the upcoming election campaign will be whether the incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, known for his uncompromising approach on Iran''s nuclear issue, would be re-elected for a second four-year term.
Ahmadinejad, 51, who has been criticized by the opposition in the country for his failure to curb high inflation, estimated at about 27% annually, has not yet announced his candidacy for the 2009 election.
Among his potential rivals are former parliament speaker Mehdi Karroubi, who is the leader of the reformist National Confidence Party, and Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, the 46-year-old mayor of Tehran, who enjoys the support of moderate conservatives.
Ahmadinejad''s pro-reform opponents have called for more diplomacy in relations with the West over Iran''s controversial uranium enrichment program.
Western countries suspect Iran of pursuing a secret nuclear weapons program, but the country says it needs nuclear power solely for civilian purposes.
Islamic banking and finance is emerging in CIS member nations
Emomali Rahmon holds meeting with Tajiks living in Italy
Deputy head of Shahritous district detained on suspicion of bribery
Precious metals and gems account for 48.5% of Tajikistan’s total exports in Q1 this year
Tourism Development Committee releases the 2nd report on the risk of plague; this time, it says the risk is minimal
Eight members of Tajik opposition group detained in Rome
Tajikistan-Italy investment forum result sin signing of contracts worth more than US$160 million
Emomali Rahmon meets with WeBuild Group CEO in Rome to discuss the progress of construction of Roghun HPP
The population of Central Asia expected to exceed 1000 million by 2050
Tajikistan authorities warn about the risk of appearance of the plague in the country
All news
Авторизуйтесь, пожалуйста