Iran Reformists back Rouhani for president

The Reformists’ High Council for Policy Making announced its support for Hassan Rouhani, the incumbent president, in his bid to remain in office.

The body’s chief, Mohammad Reza Aref, said the Reformists have agreed to support the current president’s candidacy for a second term.

Aref, who pulled out of the last presidential race in 2013 to support Rouhani, said the Reformist parties’ decision to support Rouhani came after an ongoing series of meetings held recently.

Aref did not say if the Reformists plan to delegate more candidates.

“A group believes we should not field other candidates. However, in contrast, some friends say the Reformist camp is big and we should enter the race with several candidates but support only one on the voting day,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Popular Front of Islamic Revolution Forces released a statement and a shortlist of 14 candidates who earned most votes in an internal election in the body’s first national assembly late last month.