TEHRAN, Iran — Until just a few months ago, not many Iranians were familiar with the name Ebrahim Raisi. The 56-year-old cleric entered the game last year when he was appointed to head Iran’s largest charitable foundation, Astan Quds Razavi, which oversees the holy shrine of the eighth Shiite imam, Reza, in the northeastern city of Mashhad. Raisi, a former prosecutor and deputy chief justice who once headed Iran’s anti-corruption committee, wants to be the Islamic Republic’s 12th president. Generally labeled as a Principlist, Raisi “wants to free himself from any partisan affiliation and run as an independent,” according to an aide who spoke to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity.
In Iran, the color green is widely associated with the Green Movement, which emerged from the disputed 2009 presidential elections. Raisi chose green as his campaign color. The source close to the presidential candidate explained, “This is the color used by revolutionary grandsons of the prophet. We are using this color to give it back its real meaning.” The source added that Raisi is looking forward to becoming president of all Iranians rather than a president with partisan affiliations. “One of the main objectives will be freedom of partisan life under the framework of the Islamic Republic. There’s a need to get the viewpoints of all parties and currents in the country to solve our problems, yet differences among them shouldn’t have implications for how we solve our dilemmas.”
Opponents of Raisi’s candidacy say he’s not up to the job, citing his limited political experience. His critics argue that the presidency is no place to gain experience.
“Iran is going through a very critical phase. We are facing serious internal challenges, in the middle of a regional confrontation and on the international level” and nothing is predictable, a political source close to President Hassan Rouhani’s campaign told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. “Under such circumstances, Iran needs an experienced president, someone who knows how to deal with difficult times. Among all those who are running, the only person ready to continue the job is known to everyone.” In the latest presidential debate on May 5, candidate Eshaq Jahangiri indirectly criticized Raisi’s candidacy, saying, “A president needs to have experience in dealing with domestic and international issues,” adding that the political landscape of Iran is not a place for a novice.
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