After the death of President Raisi, the Iranian elections represent a difficult test for the rulers
For decades, Iranian leaders have been able to cite high voter turnout in elections as evidence of the legitimacy of the Islamic Republic's political system. But as voter turnout has plummeted in recent years, the elections they will now be forced to hold following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi will force the political establishment into a decision it doesn't want to make.Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country's supreme leader, has two options, each of which carries risks.It could ensure that the presidential elections, which according to the Constitution must take place within 50 days of Raisi's death, are open to everyone, from extremists to reformists. But that risks leading to competitive elections that could take the country in a direction it doesn't want.Or ...









