NCRI – Candidates admit Iran suffering from bleak economic and social circumstances
The first presidential election in Iran turned into a heated debate between Eshagh Jahangiri, Hassan Rouhani and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Jahangiri lashed at Ghalibaf, saying he intends to resolve social issues through “military” tactics. Ghalibaf in return referred to Rouhani’s government as that of the “four percent”, citing he only represent the wealthy and rich.
“4% of our people have everything and 96% don’t… There are 3 million empty residences across the country, all belonging to the 4%,” Ghalibaf said.
“The value of 45,000 tomans ($13) in subsidies has decreased to a mere 15,000 tomans ($4.25),” he added.
As the debate began Jahangir raised the question of who attacked the Saudi embassy in Tehran and prevented 700,000 Saudi Shiites from travelling to Iran.
“We can’t attack embassies. Mr. Ghalibaf, was it the government that attacked? Who were they? In whose election campaigns have they joined? Which candidates were defending them and giving them money?” Jahangir asked.
Jahangiri was referring to Hossein Kord-Mihan who was labelled by state media as one of the main individuals involved in organizing the Saudi embassy raid. Pictures of him in Ghalibaf’s election headquarters during the 2013 presidential election were posted in the media.
Jahangir responded to Ghalibaf’s remarks by saying Ghalibaf and his inner circle in the Tehran municipality are the main reason behind 3 million residences being left empty.
Ghalibaf also criticized Jahangiri for registering as a candidate, labeling him as a “political tool” for others.
Jahangiri also accused the cabinet of former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of spending $700 billion and leaving behind “nothing but unemployment.”
“You are the mayor of Tehran, nothing more. However, you haven’t been successful in the organs controlled by the municipality. You must approach matters using a scientific point of view,” he continued at Ghalibaf.
Rouhani claimed if his government was not in power all of social media in Iran would have been blocked and election candidates would not have been able to use this tool.
Rouhani also lashed at Ghalibaf saying he never claimed to create 4 million jobs during his tenure.
In response Ghalibaf accused Rouhani of being “distrustful”, as he first promised to solve all problems in 100 days, and then denying so.
He also accused Rouhani of handing out awards to controversial oil tycoon Babak Zanjani.
Ebrahim Raisi said the gap between the society’s classes has increased. Statistics show subsidies have actually increased people’s problems, he explained.
“If urgent action isn’t taken in this regard we must be expecting major social crises,” he added. Raisi admitted there are 16 million people living in city outskirts. In 2013 when Rouhani had come to power these numbers were at 11 million, he said.
10.2 million People in Iran are completely illiterate, according to Mirsalim.
Polls show the people’s disapproval is mostly focused on municipalities, banks and the judiciary.
