DUBAI (AP) – Iran’s Parliament re-elected Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf yesterday as its Speaker, in the wake of a helicopter crash that killed the country’s president and foreign minister.
Of 287 lawmakers voting, 198 backed Qalibaf to retain the position he first took in 2021.
In yesterday’s vote, challenger Mojtaba Zonnouri, a cleric who once led the Parliament’s national security commission, won 60 votes. A former foreign minister to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Manouchehr Mottaki, received five votes. Qalibaf called on lawmakers to find a way to address their constituents’ demands after being re-elected.
“In order to create hope in the people, we must reach a common understanding and act in a converging and empathetic way, and we must agree on prioritising the solution of the people’s problems, regardless of our political inclinations and tastes,” he said.
A trained pilot, Qalibaf served in the paramilitary Guard. He also served as the head of the Guard’s construction arm, Khatam al-Anbia, for several years.
Qalibaf also served as the head of the Guard’s air force.
He also served as the head of Iran’s police, modernising the force and implementing the country’s 110 emergency phone number.
Iran will hold presidential elections on June 28. Tomorrow, a five-day registration period for candidates will open.
