Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, led funeral prayers in Tehran on Wednesday for President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash on Sunday. The clerical establishment is racing to organize a snap election to replace Raisi, which could further erode its legitimacy amid growing public discontent. The June 28 vote will need to galvanize a population that showed little interest in the 2021 ballot that gave Raisi the presidency, a role that oversees day-to-day government.
Raisi’s death comes at a time of worsening strains between the clerical leadership and wider society, exacerbated by tightening political and social controls and a declining economy. Growing numbers of voters have shunned recent elections, a worrying sign for the leadership, which sees turnout as a credibility test for the 45-year-old Islamic Republic.
The establishment faces a significant challenge in securing a high turnout in the short time frame, particularly given the lack of electoral options. Many voters are unhappy with the state of the economy, and others are furious about social restrictions. A low turnout could further undermine the clerical establishment’s legitimacy.
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Tens of thousands of mourners thronged the streets of Tehran for Raisi’s funeral, which was attended by high-ranking officials, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, who also died in the crash. The funeral procession was marked by emotional scenes, with Raisi’s coffin passed over the heads of weeping mourners.
Iran has proclaimed five days of mourning for Raisi, who enacted hardline policies aimed at entrenching clerical power, cracking down on opponents, and adopting a tough line on foreign policy issues. The funeral was attended by over 40 foreign dignitaries, including officials from Iraq, Pakistan, Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia, Kuwait, Russia, China, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.
The election to replace Raisi will be closely watched, particularly given the limited options available. A hardline watchdog body banned prominent moderate and pragmatist candidates from running in the 2021 presidential election, which insiders said was aimed at securing Raisi’s win. If the same scenario occurs, it will undermine the clerical establishment’s hope of a high turnout in June.
