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NDI

The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

Right-Wing Principlists

ANNOUNCED

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
President; Mayor of Tehran (2003-2005)

CONSIDERING

Mohammad Jahromi
Minister of Labor and Social Affairs under Ahmadinejad

CONSIDERING

Mostafa PourMohammadi
Minister of Interior under Ahmadinejad

Moderate Conservatives

ANNOUNCED

Mohsen Rezai
Expediency Council Secretary; IRGC Commander (1981-1997); ally of Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the current mayor of Tehran

CONSIDERING

Gholamali Haddad-Adel
Speaker of the Majlis (2004); first non-cleric to hold position of Speaker

CONSIDERING

Ali Akbar Nategh Nouri
Speaker of the Majlis (1992-2000); 1997 presidential candidate

CONSIDERING

Mohammad Nahavandian
Head of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Mines  (2007-present)

CONSIDERING

Hassan Rowhani
former National Security Council member; close to Rafsanjani

Reformists

ANNOUNCED

Mehdi Karroubi
Secretary-General of Etemad Melli party; Speaker of the Majlis (1989-1992; 2000-20004); 2005 presidential candidate; favors US-Iran relations

ANNOUNCED

Mir-Hossein Mousavi
Last Prime Minister of Iran (1981-1989); clashed with Khomeini

ANNOUNCED

Akbar A’lami
Member of the Majlis (2000-2008)

ANNOUNCED

Azam Taleghani
Member of the Majlis (1980-1984); editor, Payam e Hajar weekly; founder, Society of Islamic Revolution Women of Iran

Updated on May 8, 2009