Pro-Reform MP Proposes 2 Mayoral Candidates for Tehran

A lawmaker affiliated to the reformist-moderate bloc that swept all seats of Tehran City Council in last month's elections, has named candidates for the post of Tehran mayor.

Jalal Mirzaei told ISNA on Saturday that Mohsen Hashemi, son of former president Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who has a long experience of working for the Tehran Municipality as the chairman of Tehran Metro and was the top vote-getter in the May 19 Tehran council election, and Hossein Marashi, a former vice president who is currently a senior member of the Reformist Policymaking Council, are eligible for the mayoral job.

The decisive victory of reformists and their allies in the election held concurrently with the presidential vote undid the principlists' narrow majority in the 21-member assembly.  

It also put on the line the future of the incumbent Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, who is mayor of the capital for 12 years.

The controversial mayor was running for president this year but eventually withdrew in favor of fellow principlist Ebrahim Raeisi.  

  Merits Matter

Mirzaei said the councilors should not only consider political leanings but also meritocracy when deciding who should take the helm at the Tehran Municipality fraught with problems.

"The next mayor should be capable of running the city efficiently. He should have a deep understanding of the workings of the municipality and have strong interaction with other organizations."

Mirzaei said he believes Marashi is quite capable of fulfilling mayoral duties, because he has relevant work experience as a former governor of Kerman Province, benefits from great organizational skills and has outstanding decision-making power.

Besides picking the mayor, city councils are tasked with supervising the municipality and approving its budget.