Pro-reform presidential candidate, Mostafa Hashemitaba, criticized as too ambitious a large-scale national economic plan outlined by the government of incumbent President Hassan Rouhani who is also running to win a second term.
“In my opinion, the sixth five-year development plan (2017-22) is a compilation of far-fetched dreams that are out of touch with Iran’s reality,” Hashemitaba said in a statement after attending the first televised debate with five other hopefuls on Friday, IRNA reported.
Iran’s development plans outline government strategies in its budget planning for the next five years. The parliament last month again made changes recommended by the Guardians Council, the body in charge of verifying the sixth plan’s compliance with Islamic law and constitutional articles.
The campaign season for the May 19 presidential election started on April 21 and will last until 24 hours before the vote.
If no candidate garners 50% plus one vote of all ballots cast, a runoff between the two top vote-grabbers on May 26 will decide who will ultimately be the next president.
