Tehran Gets Third Mayor In 18 Months
Umer Jamshaid Published November 13, 2018 | 07:44 PM
Tehran city council on Tuesday elected Pirouz Hanachi, a little-known technocrat, to the politically sensitive post of mayor that has in the past led to Iran's presidency, state television reported.
Hanachi is the third mayor of Tehran to be elected by the city council since reformists swept to power in local polls in May 2017.
The 54-year-old Hanachi was a deputy mayor after the reformists took office in August 2017, having previously served as deputy minister at the roads and urban development ministry.
The interior ministry has to confirm his election, a mostly procedural process.
The reformists have promised transparency in running the city following corruption charges against their conservative rivals who controlled the Tehran council for 14 years.
The post of mayor has changed hands three times in 18 months, starting with Mohammad Ali Najafi who resigned officially on medical grounds amid reports he had been threatened with arrest by the prosecutor's office.
His successor, Mohammad Ali Afshani, a retiree, now has to step down by December 6 after parliament passed a law banning retirees from holding official posts.
The post served as a political springboard for conservative hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran's president between 2005 and 2013, although fellow incumbent Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf was unsuccessful in his bids for the presidency.
Despite winning the highest number of votes in last year's polls, Mohsen Hashemi Rafsanjani, son of late ex-president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, has repeatedly tried but failed to be elected mayor.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leav ..
More Stories From World
-
Slot 'confident' of Liverpool job as 'negotiations' take place
4 hours ago -
Google parent Alphabet's Q1 profits beat estimates: company
4 hours ago -
WADA asks 'independent prosecutor' to examine Chinese swimmers case
5 hours ago -
New York court overturns Harvey Weinstein sex crime conviction
5 hours ago -
Bagnaia and Spanish rivals chase victory at Jerez
6 hours ago -
Russian, Ukrainian strikes kill at least 10 in frontline regions
6 hours ago
-
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
7 hours ago -
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
7 hours ago -
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leave after 20 years of ..
7 hours ago -
Putin says plans to visit China in May
7 hours ago -
US reinstates open internet rules rescinded under Trump
7 hours ago -
Honda announces US$11 bn EV battery and vehicle plant in Canada
8 hours ago