Tehran, YJC. Hashemi signed up for presidential candidacy in the final hour last evening. What comes to mind now is what challenges he faces in the course of his campaign, and maybe later on as the President.

By: Hossein Amiri



To be or not to be, that was the question which occupied the public concern regarding well-known political figures during the last few months, a specific feature of this round of elections. The current year is named one of "political breakthrough” which could find incarnation in a fervent round of elections.

A number of factors could contribute to the breakthrough, among them the presence of diversity candidates. Three candidates representing three different tastes and modes of thought signed up on Saturday, Hashemi from the Reformist side, Esfandyar Rahim Mashaei, Ahmadinejad’s ally, and SaeidSaeed Jalili, Secretary of the National Security Committee, representing the right, Principalist wing. This goes to exemplify what the Supreme Leader had demanded as participation by all dispositions. The presence of these three might for some mean tense campaigns are to come, but for the nation it betokens booming elections.