Reformist Candidate Hemmati in Iran Presidential Election Resigns as Central Bank Governor

Government: "If presidential candidates concurrently hold central bank governor positions, it may influence policy"

Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati of the Central Bank
[Photo by AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Abdolnaser Hemmati, the governor of the Central Bank and considered a reformist candidate in next month's Iranian presidential election, has resigned.

The Iranian semi-official Mehr News Agency reported on the 30th (local time) that Hemmati resigned from his position as governor of the Central Bank.

Earlier, President Hassan Rouhani reportedly met with Governor Hemmati the previous day to discuss the resignation issue.

The Iranian government stated that the reason for Hemmati's resignation from the governorship was "the judgment that if a presidential candidate concurrently holds the position of Central Bank governor, it could influence sensitive matters such as monetary policy."

Governor Hemmati said, "President Rouhani made this decision, and this measure is not problematic."

Akbar Komijani, the deputy governor, is reported to be considered as Hemmati's successor.

Hemmati, an economist by training, was appointed governor of the Central Bank in 2018. He stepped down about two years before the end of his term in 2023.

He is also one of the seven final candidates in the Iranian presidential election scheduled for the 18th of next month. Local media evaluated Hemmati as the most popularly recognized among the reformist candidates.

In Iran, as major moderate presidential candidates were disqualified, a boycott movement of the presidential election has emerged, especially among the younger generation. Previously, Eshaq Jahangiri, the first vice president, and Ali Larijani, an advisor to the Supreme Leader, were mentioned as strong moderate and reformist candidates but did not make the final candidate list.

Among the seven final confirmed presidential candidates, five are reported to be conservative figures.

Regarding the Guardian Council's selection of presidential candidates, Western media criticized that the path to victory has been paved for Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi (head of the judiciary), a hardline conservative candidate with the highest current recognition and support.

Meanwhile, the Guardian Council, which holds the authority to interpret Islamic norms and the constitution, has supervisory authority over presidential and parliamentary elections and referendums, as well as the power to vet candidates.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.