Call for Competitive, Enthusiastic Elections

Speaking on Tuesday at the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution in its first session of the Iranian year (started March 21), Rouhani hoped for a glorious participation in the elections that “bring the country honor and pride, and practice consolidation of social capital”.

Iranians will go to the polls on May 19 to participate in the presidential, city council and midterm parliamentary elections.

Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has urged an enthusiastic presence in the elections, referring to voting as one of the pillars of religious democracy, which makes the Iranian nation feel honored before the world, according to Financial Tribune.

Rouhani referred to the Leader’s decision to name this year after “Resistance Economy: Production and Employment,” and stated that it provides great prospects to advance the administration’s plans.

Calling for a united involvement of all people and forces to achieve the “job-generating production” motto, he expressed hope that the New Year would be accompanied by progress and development, and underlined that all Iranian youths should get decent job opportunities.

“The government made considerable effort over the past year in line with Resistance Economy and is set to press on with the same idea on top of its agenda,” he said.

Resistance Economy is a set of principles meant to boost productivity and domestic production by weaning the country off oil revenues.

Referring to the fact that only a handful of countries are able to provide over 600,000 job opportunities per year, he said, “Last year, 630,000 jobs were generated in our country, and with regard to the increasing trend of youths’ needs for employment, which is about 1.2 million people, we need a bigger jump in the field of production and employment.”

Achieving the 8% economic growth target set out in the 20-Year Vision Plan (2005-25), making advancements in the field of oil and condensates, and funding 24,000 SMEs were among other salient points mentioned by the president as the result of adopting Resistance Economy policies last year.