Ghalibaf: 10 Percent of the Population Lives in Absolute Poverty and Goes to Bed Hungry

Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf, one of the candidates for the twelfth presidential election, criticized the policies of Hassan Rouhani's government, stating that the continuation of the current situation will lead to ongoing unemployment, social harms, and recession. In a recorded television interview on the program 'With the Camera,' broadcast on Thursday on Channel One, he stated: 'Today, I want to tell you dear ones that 10 percent of our population is poor. Absolute poverty. They face challenges for the most basic issues of life. When we say they go to bed hungry, we are not exaggerating.' He further emphasized: 'The main reason for class disparity in our country is that four percent do not allow 96 percent of our population to operate.' This presidential candidate also referred to Hassan Rouhani's statements, saying: 'The honorable president said that it won't be resolved for 40 years, and sometimes not for 100 years. Mr. Rouhani, these people do not have the patience of Job nor the lifespan of Noah; we must utilize the country's capabilities and not discourage the youth. With new methods and technologies, we can accelerate project implementation in all areas of employment, construction, and agriculture tenfold and at least triple the added value, buying time, reducing costs, and resolving issues.' Ghalibaf stressed that if elected, he would create five million jobs. His statements regarding employment and a monthly payment of 250,000 tomans to job seekers drew criticism. Ahmad Tavakoli, a prominent conservative figure and former MP, criticized the candidates for making promises that raise expectations. According to the website 'Ala,' he stated: 'Any movement or promise that raises people's expectations and increases the gap between expectations and capabilities is a threat to national security.' This former MP added: 'The promises made by candidates may imply that the president can fulfill any promise simply by his will. Our system is not a personal government; it is not a presidential democracy where the president can dissolve the parliament based on expediency. It is a parliamentary-presidential system.' Tavakoli questioned: 'Can Mr. Ghalibaf say that I will give every unemployed person 250,000 tomans until employment is secured?' He emphasized that Ghalibaf must have the parliament's vote to fulfill this promise; otherwise, it will not be realized. Tavakoli also criticized another conservative candidate, Ebrahim Raisi, regarding his promise to increase subsidies. This former MP stated: 'Similarly, when Mr. Raisi promises to double or triple the subsidies for the underprivileged and build affordable housing, he does not specify under which legal mandate he will pursue these goals and how he will secure the necessary resources.' Mostafa Mir-Salim, another presidential candidate, also expressed his views on the country's situation during a television program on Thursday. He emphasized that he is ready to declare his assets, stating: 'I have not come to seek a share; rather, I come to reclaim the rights that have been delayed from the nation and deliver them to them. I will give them what is their share from the blessed revolution's table. We believe that rights must be claimed, and our government has a plan to realize these rights.' The Iranian presidential election will be held on Friday, May 29, simultaneously with the city and village council elections.