Mohammad Mokhber
Mohammad Mokhber, Iran’s first vice president, is set to take over the presidency following the death of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash as the nation prepares for early elections.
According to the Iranian constitution, the first vice president takes over in the event of the president’s death, dismissal, resignation, absence, or illness for more than two months.
Raisi, who died on Sunday alongside Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other officials, was reaching the end of his first four-year term as president.
Mokhber’s interim appointment requires permission from Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say in all state affairs.
The constitution requires that presidential elections to choose a permanent successor be held within 50 days.
A council comprised of the parliament speaker, the head of the judiciary, and the vice president will be in charge of organizing the national vote.
Mokhber, 68, was appointed vice president when Raisi took office in August 2021.
Since the Islamic Republic’s inception in 1980, Iranians have voted in presidential elections every four years.
The Iranian constitution limits presidents to two terms.
The role of the prime minister does not exist in Iran, and the president, with the assistance of several vice presidents, is in charge of appointing and guiding the cabinet.
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