Iranians react to President Hassan Rouhani reelection victory

World Today

Iran’s President, Hassan Rouhani has been elected to a second term in office with a wide margin of the national vote.

His supporters said they have high hopes for Iran’s future under his continued leadership.

CGTN’s Tony Cheng reports from Tehran.
Follow Tony Cheng on Twitter @TLCBkk

At Tehran’s bazaar on Saturday afternoon, it’s the beginning of the work week and the start of a new era. After a long day of voting on Friday that extended to midnight – a clear winner was named.

President Hassan Rouhani won the election by a landslide and now has another four years in power.

“Today the election begins an era, and I, the president of all the people of Iran, need help of every single person, even those who were against me and my policy,” he said.

Many had thought economic stagnation and unemployment would harm Rouhani’s chance at victory. But voters were prepared to give him another chance.

“There has been some stagnation and an economic downturn but I am sure that the next four years will be very flourishing,” one shopper said.

At the Interior Ministry, the official and final result came sooner than expected.

In the overnight count President Rouhani opened a sizeable lead and as the day began it grew even wider.

As the Interior Minister read out the final result, it was clear Rouhani’s pragmatic policies had clearly defeated the hardline stance of his opponent Ebrahim Raisi, by a margin of nearly two to one.

That may be hard for Iran’s senior clerics to accept, but no one is challenging the results.