Vice President of the Hope Faction Emphasizes the Need for a 'Cautious Candidate' in the Presidential Elections

While some reformists have deemed the introduction of a 'cover candidate' alongside Hassan Rouhani for the 96 presidential elections unnecessary, the Vice President of the Hope Faction reiterated that reformists should have a 'cautious candidate' for potential eventualities. Mohammad Reza Tabesh stated in an interview with ILNA on Sunday, April 13, 'I do not use the term cover candidate and have always said and believe that reformists should have a cautious candidate for events that may arise during the elections.' He added, 'If there are debates, in the case of multiple conservative candidates, the cautious candidates can assist Rouhani by answering some questions posed by the rival faction, and in a way, the work can be divided between them and Rouhani.' Previously, some reformist figures, including Morteza Alviri, emphasized support for Hassan Rouhani and stated that reformists should introduce a 'cover candidate' alongside him due to reasons such as the possibility of Rouhani not being nominated, being disqualified, or not receiving enough votes. According to Alviri, the goal of introducing a 'cover candidate' is not to compete with Rouhani but to ensure this political faction is not left empty-handed in a potential critical moment. However, Gholamreza Ansari, a reformist figure and member of the central council of the Unity Party, reported on March 19 that in a meeting of the reformists' Supreme Policy Council with Rouhani, 'some of Rouhani's associates did not welcome this proposal and believed that Rouhani's individual presence in the campaign has a more positive and greater impact.' Meanwhile, Mohammad Reza Aref, head of the reformists' Supreme Policy Council, announced on Sunday, March 22, that the council unanimously selected Hassan Rouhani as the 'definite candidate of the reformist faction' from among various proposals discussed in their meeting. Abbas Ali Kadkhodai, spokesman for the Guardian Council, announced that this council always reviews the qualifications of 'incumbent' presidents during their second candidacy and that 'there is no guarantee' that an 'incumbent' president will be approved again. Some reformist figures, including Faizollah Arab-Sorkhi, a member of the Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution Organization, have stated that the discussion of disqualifying Hassan Rouhani aims to 'weaken the morale of reformists.' The opposing faction to the reformists, namely the conservative groups, has not yet announced their final candidate or candidates for the presidential elections. Although the 'Popular Front of Islamic Revolution Forces' announced its existence in early December 95 and representatives from some conservative groups are present in it, some conservative groups, including the Stability Front, have stated that they are looking for a 'better candidate.' According to reports from conservative media, the second national congress of the Popular Front of Islamic Revolution Forces will be held on Thursday, April 17, and five out of 14 initial candidates of this group will be re-elected. The 14 candidates of this group include Ebrahim Raisi, Mehrdad Bazrpash, Saeed Jalili, Hamid Reza Hajibabaei, Mohammad Khoshchehreh, Mohsen Rezaei, Alireza Zakani, Mohammad Mahdi Zahedi, Ezzatollah Zarghami, Parviz Fattah, Rostam Qasemi, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Mostafa Mir Salim, and Ali Nikzad. Meanwhile, the website Entekhab reported on Sunday, citing 'sources close' to the custodian of the Astan Quds Razavi, that Ebrahim Raisi will announce his decision to run for the presidential elections on April 18. Ebrahim Raisi was appointed as the custodian of Astan Quds Razavi by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic after the death of Mr. Vaez Tabasi in Esfand 94. Astan Quds Razavi is one of the major financial institutions under the supervision of the Supreme Leader. Previously, Ebrahim Raisi was a member of the decision-making committee for the executions of the 1980s as the then-deputy prosecutor. Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri referred to his role in this matter in an audio file released a few months ago by his son, Ahmad Montazeri. However, he has not yet responded to this issue. In this context, the invitation of reformist representatives to a 'withdrawal campaign' aimed at a unified electoral list, Boroujerdi stated that the activities of Ahmadinejad's group in the elections are not serious. Javanfar considered Mohsen Rezaei's statements about Ahmadinejad to be the result of 'satanic insinuations.' Ahmadinejad's reaction to the request for clarification of his harsh speech in Ahvaz was noted. The Minister of Labor called the electoral promise of Baghaei to increase subsidies a 'big lie.' The Guardian Council stated that Hassan Rouhani must be re-approved for the next term.