Iran Celebrates Rouhani Reelection

May 22, 2017

On May 20, Iranians took to the streets to celebrate President Hassan Rouhani’s re-election. He garnered 57 percent of the vote, compared with 38 percent for his closest rival, hardliner Ebrahim Raisi. Rouhani’s first two posts on Instagram after the election indicated his gratitude for support from Iran’s youth, who were key to his victory. Some 70 percent of Iran’s 82 million-strong population is under age 35. 

 

In another post, Rouhani thanked Iranians living abroad who traveled far distances to vote. Iran arranged 279 stations at 132 embassies and consulates for the election. The picture below is from the Iranian Embassy in Ankara, Turkey. 

 

At a victory celebration in Mashhad, Rouhani supporters chanted the name of former Prime Minister Mir Hossein Mousavi. The former presidential candidate has been under house arrest since 2011 for support of the Green Movement protests following the disputed 2009 election.

 

In the video below, people chanted “It’s the beginning of the week and Rouhani is still here.” The chant was a retort to Raisi supporters who previously chanted that Rouhani would be out by then.