Ebrahim Raisi, full name Sayyid Ebrahim Raisolsadati, became the President of Iran on August 5, 2021. He is a conservative politician and a prominent figure within Iran's judiciary, having served as the Chief Justice of Iran from 2019 until his presidency. Here are some key points about him:
### Background and Early Life
- **Born**: December 14, 1960, in Mashhad, Iran.
- **Education**: He studied Islamic jurisprudence and law in Qom, a significant religious center in Iran.
### Political and Judicial Career
- **Early Career**: Raisi began his career in the judiciary in the early 1980s, shortly after the Islamic Revolution.
- **Judicial Roles**: He held various positions within the judiciary over the decades, including serving as the Deputy Chief Justice and the Attorney General of Iran.
- **Chief Justice**: In March 2019, he was appointed as the Chief Justice of Iran, where he focused on anti-corruption measures.
### Presidential Campaign and Election
- **2017 Presidential Election**: Raisi first ran for president in 2017 but lost to the incumbent, Hassan Rouhani.
- **2021 Presidential Election**: He ran again in 2021 and won, benefiting from support among conservatives and hardliners and a disqualification of many moderate and reformist candidates by the Guardian Council. His election saw a low voter turnout, reflecting public dissatisfaction and apathy.
### Presidency
- **Domestic Policies**: Raisi has focused on economic issues, pledging to combat corruption, reduce unemployment, and tackle inflation. His administration faces significant challenges, including economic sanctions, a struggling economy, and public discontent.
- **Foreign Policy**: Raisi's foreign policy stance is characterized by a resistance to Western influence, a focus on strengthening ties with neighboring countries and allies like China and Russia, and a cautious approach to the nuclear deal (JCPOA) negotiations.
### Controversies and Human Rights
- **Human Rights Record**: Raisi has been criticized for his role in the 1988 mass executions of political prisoners in Iran, where he was part of a committee that oversaw the process. His tenure as a judge and as Chief Justice has also been marked by a hardline stance against dissent.
### Public Perception and Challenges
- **Public Perception**: His presidency has been marked by both support from conservative factions and criticism from reformists and human rights advocates. The challenges facing his administration are substantial, especially in terms of economic recovery and addressing social grievances.
Ebrahim Raisi's tenure as President of Iran is watched closely both domestically and internationally, as he navigates a complex landscape of economic difficulties, social unrest, and international pressures.