By Zaki Laïdi

The coming french revolution

In a few weeks, France will elect its next president. Given the French executive’s considerable powers, including the authority to dissolve the National Assembly, the presidential election, held every five years, is France’s most important. But the stakes are higher than ever this time.

Ex-cultural advisor registers for presidential election

TEHRAN – Mehdi Kalhor, a journalist and cultural advisor to former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, announced his candidacy on Friday, emphasizing he has distanced himself from his former boss.

By Ali Kushki

Ex-President Ahmadinejad registers for May presidential election

TEHRAN - Former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad submitted his name for registration for the May 19 presidential election on Wednesday in an apparent reversal of earlier promises not to run. 

By Ali Kushki

Registration opens for presidential election

TEHRAN – Iran opened registration for the May 19 presidential elections on Tuesday with more than 100 enrolling so far on the first day of candidate registration. 

Raeisi to run for president: representative

TEHRAN – Hojjatoleslam Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi, custodian of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (PBUH) in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad, has declared his readiness to run for president, his representative said on Thursday.

The quality that may sway France’s election

The leading presidential candidate, Emmanuel Macron, is admired for his listening skills, a trait that young French voters cite as the most important leadership quality.

2017 presidential race timeline: Countdown to the vote 

TEHRAN - Iran's election headquarters announced that registration for presidential candidates will open on April 11, a little more than one month before the May 19 election. 

As elections approach Rouhani frets about bipolarity

TEHRAN – In the run-up to the election period in May, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned against what he described as a “bipolar election” as it causes headaches for the country.

Photos of Iran’s latest presidential election candidates appear on book 

TEHRAN – A book containing photos of the candidates who registered for Iran’s 11th presidential election in June 2013 will soon hit bookstores under the title “I am the President of Iran”.

TV announces program for presidential candidates

TEHRAN – The national TV, officially called the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) on Wednesday announced its program for the upcoming presidential campaigns, including the timetable that it has drafted for the candidates to go on air.

55 million Iranians qualified to vote in May elections

TEHRAN – The Interior Ministry has said that nearly 55 million people are qualified to vote in the May presidential elections.

‘Reformists will play bigger role in council elections’

TEHRAN – A member of the Combatant Clergy Association has said reformists will get heavily involved in the upcoming city council elections.

By Wolfgang Münchau

France contemplates breaking with an unsustainable status quo

Three presidential candidates offer a radical alternative.

‘Qalibaf would run for president only if all principlists agree on him’

TEHRAN – A former vice president for parliamentary affairs has said Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf will run for presidential post only if all principlist groups concur on him.

Guardian Council will weigh presidential candidates against 2009 unrest 

TEHRAN – Iran’s Guardian Council has said only candidates with a clean sheet in the 2009 unrest will be qualified to stand in the May presidential election. 

Elections headquarters to start work in Tehran

TEHRAN – Presidential election headquarters is to start its activities in Tehran next week, Tehran Province’s Deputy Governor for Social and Political Affairs Shahabeddin Chavoshi told IRNA on Wednesday.

Interior Ministry defines rules of election headquarters

TEHRAN – The Interior Ministry has defined the rules of the 2017 presidential election headquarters.

Coalition party reveals shortlist for presidential elections 

TEHRAN – The Islamic Coalition Party will soon come up with a candidate for the next year’s presidential elections, due May 2017, according to one of the party’s senior figures.

Principlist group to name presidential candidate

TEHRAN – The Front of Followers of the Line of Imam and Leadership, a principlist group, said on Tuesday that it will name its candidate for the 2017 presidential election.

Police to set up center to ensure election security

TEHRAN – The Iranian police will establish an ad hoc headquarters to control and command the efforts for ensuring security of the upcoming presidential election, slated for May 2017, a spokesperson announced on Tuesday.

Pathseekers to name presidential candidate soon

TEHRAN – The Society of Pathseekers of the Islamic Revolution will introduce its candidate for the 2017 presidential election within 10 days, said the society’s secretary general.

Coalition to send representative to presidentials

TEHRAN – The Islamic Coalition Party is going to introduce a representative for Iran’s 2017 presidential election.

Haddad Adel: Principlists to announce electoral plan soon

TEHRAN – A prominent political and cultural figure has said principlists will soon announce their plan for the next year’s presidential election.

Aref says lines up reformists behind Rouhani in upcoming election

TEHRAN – Key reformist lawmaker Mohammad Reza Aref pledged on Saturday his support and other reformists’ to President Rouhani in the next year’s presidential election, slated for May 19, 2017.

Does Rouhani still appeal to principlists? 

TEHRAN – As the next year’s presidential election in Iran draws near, parties and political figures are narrowing down speculation as to who will run and who will not.

Leader confirms advising Ahmadinejad not to run for president

TEHRAN - In comments on Monday, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei implicitly confirmed that he had advised former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to stay out of the 2017 presidential race, citing concerns over “polarization” of the Iranian society.

Derakhshan elected as judo federation president

Mohammad Derakhshan has been elected as the president of Iran’s Judo Federation on Sunday.

Fars: Ahmadinejad advised not to run for president 

TEHRAN – On Monday Fars published a note by its former director Mehdi Faza’eli in which he said former president Mahmud Ahmadinejad has been advised not to run for the next year’s presidential election.