Presidential candidate Mohammad
Reza Aref, representing the reformist movement in Iran, today withdrew from the
race in favor of Hassan Rouhani, who now becomes the consensus candidate of
reformists and moderates.
Former reformist president
Mohammad Khatami is said to play the key role in the decision to field Rouhani
as the unity candidate of progressives and moderates to run against the
principlists (conservatives of different shades) in Friday’s presidential
election. Rouhani is now expected to become the frontrunner in the race.
Photo credit: Mohammad
Reza Aref in a campaign appearance (IRNA)
