Alireza Zakani, the Mayor of Tehran, formally withdrew from the presidential race just a day before the election in support of the other hardline candidates, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Saeed Jalili.
Zakani is the second hardliner to withdraw after Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi announced his resignation on Wednesday. Both candidates had meager chances, scoring less than 5% in several opinion surveys.
Six candidates were initially approved by the un-elected Guardian Council that vets all candidates and operates under the influence of Supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
In a statement on his official X account, Zakani pleaded with fellow hardliner candidates Jalili and Ghalibaf to unite in order to prevent the ascent of a reform-leaning candidate: "We must consolidate our efforts to address the rightful aspirations of revolutionary factions, thereby preventing the formation of another Rouhani administration."
Hardline contenders are wary of Masoud Pezeshkian potentially forming a government akin to a "third Hassan Rouhani administration," foreseeing a cabinet that might include former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif among its ministers.
Zakani's political trajectory has been marked by controversy, particularly his confrontational approach towards reformists. Despite his assertive rhetoric, he has faced considerable criticism, including from state media, questioning his suitability for higher office.
His tenure as mayor has been fraught with challenges, including contentious urban policies such as mosque constructions in parks and enforcing hijab rules on public transport, which have stirred internal discord within the conservative faction and the city council.
Financial and personal scandals have further marred Zakani's reputation. His administration's decision to allocate financial deposits to municipal managers for housing needs sparked backlash among city council members. Additionally, allegations of nepotism involving his son-in-law and questionable financial dealings by his daughter and her husband with the Islamic Development Organization have surfaced.
A majority of voters, who stayed away from the polls in 2020, 2021 and March 2024 are expected also not to vote on Friday, disillusioned by the leadership of the Islamic government. Successive election in the past 30 years not only have failed to improve the state-controlled economy, but conditions have gradually worsened.
Iran now suffers from an annual inflation rate hovering around 50%, in addition to ever more social and political restrictions on the populace.
