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Iran’s parliament speaker throws weight behind Rouhani

Iran’s powerful parliament Speaker Ali Larijani has thrown his weight behind Hassan Rouhani, supporting him in the upcoming May 19 presidential elections.
Iranian Parliament speaker Ali Larijani speaks during a press conference in the capital Tehran, on December 6, 2016. / AFP / ATTA KENARE        (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images)

While Iranian conservatives are doing their best to form a coalition ahead of the upcoming May 19 presidential elections, parliament Speaker Ali Larijani has thrown his weight behind moderate President Hassan Rouhani, who is seeking re-election.

During recent months, conservatives have called on most of the prominent conservative figures and parties to put aside their differences and reach a consensus over a single candidate for the elections. Many conservatives say that the presence of more than one candidate will result in Rouhani’s re-election, given that several conservative figures ran for office in the 2013 vote.

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