Raisi's Rise: A Profile of Iran's Supreme Leader-in-Waiting
Ebrahim Raisi, the hardline cleric who became Iran's president in 2021, is seen as a potential successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Raisi's background and qualifications for the role are the subject of much speculation, and his rise to power has been marked by controversy.
Raisi, born in 1960, is a conservative cleric who has held various positions in Iran's judiciary, including head of the judiciary and prosecutor general. He is known for his hardline stance on social and political issues, and has been criticized for his human rights record. Some analysts believe that Raisi's conservative views and close ties to the Supreme Leader make him a strong candidate to succeed Khamenei, who is in his late 70s.
However, other analysts argue that Raisi's lack of charisma and his controversial past could make it difficult for him to gain the support of the Iranian people. They also point out that the Supreme Leader is not chosen by popular vote, and that Khamenei's successor will likely be chosen by a group of clerics and political leaders.
Raisi's rise to power is a reminder of the complex and often opaque nature of Iranian politics. The role of the Supreme Leader is central to the country's political system, and the succession process is likely to be closely watched by both domestic and international observers.
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