After the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, Iranian politician Masoud Pezeshkian wrote that it was "unacceptable in the Islamic Republic to arrest a girl for her hijab and then hand over her dead body to her family".
Days later, as nationwide protests and a bloody crackdown on all dissent took hold, he warned that those "insulting the supreme leader... will create nothing except long-lasting anger and hatred in the society".
The stances taken by Mr Pezeshkian, now Iran's 69-year-old president-elect, highlight the dualities of being a reformist politician within Iran's Shia theocracy - always pushing for change but never radically challenging the system overseen by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran's interior ministry said yesterday: "By gaining a majority of the votes cast on Friday, Pezeshkian has become Iran's next president."
After Iran's 28 June presidential election saw the lowest turnout in history, Mr Pezeshkian won 16.3 million votes against hardliner Saeed Jalili's 13.5 million votes to clinch Friday's runoff election. Mr Pezeshkian now must convince a public angered by years of economic pain and bloody crackdowns that he can make the changes he promised.
"We are losing our backing in the society, because of our behavior, high prices, our treatment of girls and because we censor the internet," Mr Pezeshkian said at a televised debate on Monday night. "People are discontent with us because of our behaviour."
Esta historia es de la edición July 07, 2024 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición July 07, 2024 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Djokovic the underdog in Wimbledon final rematch
Although it is the rematch he has waited a year for, it was only until a few days ago that Novak Djokovic started to believe he could face Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final. When the 37-year-old underwent surgery on a torn medial meniscus in his right knee on 5 June, it was assumed that the seven-time champion would miss the tournament he places above all others.
Krejcikova emulates hero Novotna in three-set thriller
Czech keeps her cool to win Wimbledon after emotional final
Southgate: It's in our hands
Lions' boss said team needs to 'make it happen' against Spain
Labour's story of a crashed economy is straight from the George Osborne playbook
Labour's revenge is sweet, and ice-cold. It is 14 years since George Osborne, the chancellor, persuaded a lot of people that Labour had crashed the economy and that it would take time for the Conservatives to put it right. Now it is Rachel Reeves's turn for Labour.
Pakistan court acquits Khan in unlawful marriage case
Ex-PM and wife were sentenced to seven years in February
Dozens dead as Gaza 'safe zone' is bombed by Israel
Mawasi area targeted as missile 'aimed at Hamas chief'
Clarkson, Hammond and May end 'TV partnership'
Jeremy Clarkson's working relationship with Richard Hammond and James May appears to be officially over.
Princess of Wales to present men's trophy at Wimbledon
Kate Middleton will attend the men's Wimbledon final on Sunday and present the trophy to the winner, Kensington Palace has announced. The Princess of Wales will hand the trophy to either Novak Djokovic or Carlos Alcaraz after they go head-tohead at the prestigious finale.
Tributes for Ryanair pilots killed in motorway crash
Two Ryanair pilots have been killed in a motorway crash while on their way to work, police have said. Matt Greenhalgh, 28, and Jamie Fernandes, 24, died after their taxi crashed on the M62 motorway in Cheshire just after 5.30am on Thursday.
Arrest made after human remains found in suitcases
A man has been arrested in Bristol after two suitcases containing human remains were found on Clifton Suspension Bridge.
