By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran’s two-time former parliament speaker Mehdi Karroubi announced on Sunday that he plans to run for president in elections slated for June 2009, the English-language Press TV reported.
“After many consultations … I announce my candidacy for the 10th round of presidential elections,” Karroubi, Secretary-General of Iran’s Etemad-e Melli (National Confidence) Party which belongs to the Reformist Coalition, told a news conference.
This will be the second time Karroubi has run for president. Hewas among the candidates of the Reformist Coalition as opposed to the Conservative Alliance in the 2005 presidential elections.
In August, the National Confidence Party has officially nominated Karroubi as its candidate for Iran’s next presidential race.
The date for Iran’s presidential election has been fixed for June 12, 2009, and Majlis by-election would also be held on the same day.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who took office in 2005,can run for a second term, according to Iran’s Constitution.
IRNA reported in late August that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asked Ahmadinejad to prepare for a second term in office.
“Do not think that this year is your final year,” Khamenei told Ahmadinejad, adding “work as if you will stay in charge for five years. In other words, imagine that in addition to this year, another four years will be under your management, and plan and act accordingly.”
Ahmadinejad has been facing criticism from the public and pro-reform opponents over the country’s economy and rising inflation as its rate hit about 29 percent recently, leaving price hikes the biggest problem for ordinary Iranians.