Monday, May 8, 2017

Iran's Presidential Election 'Heats-Up'

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani speaks as he visits Azadshahr mine explosion site in Azadshahr, Golestan Province, Iran May 7, 2017. President.ir/Handout via REUTERS

Reuters: Presidential hopefuls spar over economy as Trump turns screws on Iran

President Hassan Rouhani's trip to the coal mine in northern Iran was all going to plan, until the crowd massed in front of his car chanting "it's a day of mourning for workers".

Seconds later, shaky footage of Sunday's protest showed a man jumping onto the bonnet and stamping hard on the metalwork, a rare direct confrontation against the background of a highly-charged election race that keeps returning to one subject - Iran's stuttering economy.

Rouhani was officially there to visit families bereaved by an explosion at Zemestanyurt mine last week. But the protest slogans broadened out into other areas - poor safety standards, late payments, poor insurance coverage and seasonal unemployment.

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More News On Iran's Presidential Election

Iran's Rouhani says election rivals are 'violent extremists' -- AFP
Iran's president attacks rival's background in judiciary -- AP
Rouhani Tells Critics Their 'Era Is Over' as Iran's Vote Nears -- Bloomberg
Nuclear deal in focus in second Iranian presidential debate -- Al-Monitor
Iran's supreme leader slams Rouhani's 'Western influence' -- Middle East Eye
Social Media Skirts Censors in Iran as Election Race Heats Up -- Bloomberg
Iran’s May 19 Election Will Not Change Nature of Brutal Regime, Critics Say -- CNS News

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