A top reformist figure said the Reformist Policymaking Council will maintain its firm support for the incumbent administration of Hassan Rouhani.
Head of the council, Mohammad Reza Aref, also told IRNA on Saturday that the body has devised plans to increase their chances in the two upcoming elections, namely for the presidency and city councils.
“Our most important strategy is [to urge] maximum participation of people in the elections and complete unity in the reformist bloc,” he said.
Asked who will carry the reformist banner in the presidential elections, Aref said it is yet to be discussed at the council, but reformists “would definitely have one candidate”. Aref, who is also a lawmaker, was a candidate in the previous presidential election in 2013, but withdrew in favor of Rouhani, who earned just above 50% of votes and narrowly avoided a runoff. Various reformist figures have expressed their support for the reelection of Rouhani in recent months. The presidential and city council votes will be concurrently held on May 19, 2017.
