Tehran Gets New Mayor

Mohammad Ali Afshani was elected mayor of Tehran, securing 19 votes out of the total 22 cast by members of Tehran City Council. Afshani was one of the two candidates shortlisted by the city council, and finally managed to defeat his rival Samiollah Makarem-Hosseini, the acting mayor, IRNA reported. Though not widely known as a political figure, Afshani is a reformist and a member in the central council of the National Trust party. He is deputy interior minister for urban development and also served as governor general of Fars Province. In an interview with the Persian-language newspaper Sharq, the incoming mayor had said he would strive to build a liveable city, and highlighted the need and significance of sustainable development in managing urban affairs. Tehran is home to 12 million people and in dire need of efficient infrastructure, utilities, decent housing, efficient public transport and above all responsible city management.   Afshani was elected to the mayoral post after the pro-reform Mohammad-Ali Najafi resigned earlier this year over health problems.