23 Dec 2024
Monday 8 May 2017 - 11:43
Story Code : 260029

Nuclear deal in focus in second Iranian presidential debate

Al-Monitor | Rohollah Faghihi: Iran's second presidential debate May 5injected optimism among supporters of PresidentHassan Rouhani,whochanged his tactic of staying relatively quiet.

In the first debate, broadcast live April 28, the moderate incumbent did not appear engagedand kept his silence in the face of his conservative rivals attacks and criticisms. Rather, first Vice President EshaqJahangiri, who is believed to have signed up to run to defend Rouhani and then withdraw in his favor before the May 19 election, was described by Reformist and conservative media alike as a phenomenon, as he harshly countered the conservative challengers. Indeed, many Rouhani supporters and analysts were dissatisfied with the incumbents performance in the first debate as they expected him to perform more like he didin the 2013 presidential debates, when he traded barbs with conservative Tehran Mayor Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and handily defeated him in the election.

However, in the May 5 debate, Rouhani showed off his rhetorical skillsfrom the very first minutes. Prominent Reformist and former Tehran Mayor Gholamhossein Karbaschisaid the president appeared happier and more active.

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