With Iran’s presidential election Friday, hundreds of thousands are rallying in support of reformist candidate Mir Hussein Mousavi and incumbent president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Many news sources say Mousavi has a realistic chance of dethroning the president.
But, Ahmandejad remains popular and the race is expected to be one of the closest in Iranian history.
First,
NBC’s Ann Curry has the youth perspective from a Mousavi rally in Tehran where as many as 120,000 people attended. Mousavi is promising change for Iranian youth and women if elected.
“Mousavi is appealing to the young as we witnessed at a Mousavi rally in the capital city. Mr Mousavi is great to us, he represents hope to us. Two third of Irans population is under 30 and many say their top concern is freedom. I have no freedoms, no freedom of speech.”
Women’s rights under Iranian laws are minimal. Women can be lashed 74 times for not wearing proper headwear.
The current law says a woman’s life is valued at only half of a man’s.
Mousavi and his wife hope to change this. The
BBC has this statement from Mousavi’s wife.
“We should reform laws that treat women unequally. We should empower women financially, women should be able to choose their professions according to their merits, and Iranian women should be able to reach the highest level of decision making bodies."
But can Mousavi actually win the election? The
Wall Street Journal has the perspective the current president Ahmadenejad is still well liked and overtaking him will be a challenge.
“Ahmadinejad still remains popular in this country ...[his supporters] continue to show support for his populist economic policies and a great deal of national enthusiasm for Iran's nuclear energy program.”
Wednesday is the last day for the candidates to campaign.
Euronews has this view on President Ahmadenajad’s campaign strategy.
“Ahmadenajad’s election machine is pulling out all the stops to win a second term, portraying himself as a man of the people.”
Who do you think would be the best president for Iran?
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