Iran’s presidential candidates begin campaign sprint

There are 8 competitors vying for the Iranian presidential position in an election that looks much different than the one in 2009. Printers and publishers are under advisory to conserve paper, which became more expensive since the United States sanctions came into place; this election is devoid of posters, fliers, and brochures that characterized previous elections. The candidate getting the most attention (the two most high-profile candidates were disqualified from the race) is Iran's lead nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili. He wants to continue with the ideals of the 1979 Iranian Islamic Revolution, a very conservative Islamic purity. The most liberal of the candidates is Hassan Rouhani, the only candidate addressing the concerns of the countries ethnic and tribal minorities, non-Muslims, and women. There are about 3 weeks until the elections.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/iranians-candidates-make-their-case/2013/05/26/1bf1c738-c625-11e2-9cd9-3b9a22a4000a_story.html

Jill Laumbacher