Highlights: Fifth debate in 2024 Iran presidential election

The fifth and final televised debate in the 2024 Iranian presidential election has taken place, with six contenders presenting their plans and blueprints on how to make the government more efficient.  

This debate follows four other invigorating debates held in the past week focused primarily on economic, social, cultural, and foreign policy issues, respectively. 

Campaigning for the snap presidential election, scheduled for June 28, is in full swing, with six candidates in the fray—Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Masoud Pezeshkian, Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi, Alireza Zakani, Mostafa Pourmohammadi, and Saeed Jalili—pulling out all the stops to win voters' favor.  

Here are highlights of the fifth televised presidential debate hosted by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).

Pezeshkian:

• I have come to rescue the people from the hardships of (economic) sanctions.
• I have come to be a bridge for communication between the government and the younger generation (of the country). 
• I have come to put the country on the path of reforming production infrastructure and resolving energy inefficiencies.
• Iran is a vast country with cultural, ethnic, religious diversity, and I have come to respect this diversity.
• Leader of the Islamic Revolution supports the country's progress. It breaks deadlocks and is an asset in resolving conflicts.

Qalibaf: 

• Dear people of Iran, you are not just voting for a person, you are deciding about your own future and that of your children.
• With your vote, you decide about inflation and prosperity. You decide whether the salaries of employees, workers, and retirees increase in line with inflation or not.
• You decide whether the pensions are adjusted properly or not. You decide whether the production units where people work continue operating or become defunct.
• It truly matters who becomes the president (of the Islamic Republic).
• The president must make important decisions immediately and implement them. If he does not make right decisions, you will witness inflation. If he does not make timely decisions, you will be forced to either sell Iran to Trump or stir up tension in the country. 
• I pledge to continue the path of Martyr President Raeisi and complete the projects he left unfinished.
• I urge all of you, the Iranian nation, to prioritize participating in the (upcoming) election. Participation (guarantees) our national security. Participation is like that of a warrior who fought in the Sacred Defense.
• There will come a day when secondary issues become primary, a day when you must decide for yourselves and the future of your country.

Pourmohammadi: 

• I am neither a shadow-sitter nor restless for positions and ranks. I am neither a doctor nor a top cleric. I have risen from the heart of the original discourse of the Islamic Revolution.
• I am concerned about the people, like thousands of fathers worried about their children's future careers.
• With all my being, I say, do not go towards despair, hope lies ahead. Do not go towards darkness, there are suns (to give brightness).
• I seek bridges between ethics and politics, dignity and expediency. Sitting, watching, and shouting slogans do not represent solutions. This seminarian is determined, not fleeing.

Jalili: 

• Today, we have a great responsibility, and the people are standing on their feet. Over these 45 years, the people have created power and greatness for our country.
• Over the past 11 years, instead of wasting time in political bickering, we tried to be present in various cities and villages to understand the country's capacities.
• When it comes to ethnic groups and people of different faiths, the worst thing is when those with the rights of the people negotiate these rights during times like elections.
• The duty of the government is interaction, not negotiation. Those who negotiate disrespect the people.
• It is our duty not to settle for bare minimum but to aim for the peaks.
• We must achieve what is worthy of the Iranian nation in the next 5 years.

Zakani: 

• We have made the documentaries "In Favor of the Patient" and "The Lie of Tree Cutting" about my record that people can watch.
• I come from downtown of Tehran and I am familiar with poverty.
• I have not set aside the weapon against corruption and discrimination.
• I am concerned about incompleteness of Martyr President Raeisi's government (mission).

Qazizadeh Hashemi: 

• I have come to say that there is no deadlock, only solutions.
• Martyr Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian showed to the generals of diplomacy that they neither knew the language of the world nor practiced authoritative diplomacy.
• Today's problems have become chronic with the same superficial slogans and the same managers who had the opportunity in four administrations to solve the problems but did not fulfill any of their promises.
• We have no solution other than building the country with the method practiced by Martyr President Raeisi.

Pezeshkian

• Many of those who worked for President Raeisi's election headquarters are not working for my election headquarters. 
• There has been no (battle) front that I have not been present in. 
• I have always been a defender of the oppressed and have never defended the oppressors.

Qalibaf: 

• Experience and execution cannot be transferred through pills, syrups, or injections. It requires experience and knowledge.
• The executive branch (of the government) is not a place for trial and error, reinventing the wheel or gaining experience. It involves people's lives, reputations, time, and money.
• From day one (as president), I will make all cabinet members pledge not to halt one task for the sake of another.
• We should not wait for foreign hands in the executive branch (of the government).
• Today, transparency has been mandated for all three branches of the government, which is one of the honors for the parliament.

Pourmohammadi: 

• Traditional and old methods are no longer effective against corruption existing today. The methods of combating corruption have changed but we are unaware of it.
• Corruption networks buy experts, managers, judges, ministers, inspectors, journalists, media, and even news agencies. This happens not only in Iran but worldwide.
• Transparency, free flow of information and whistleblowers are key factors in fighting corruption.
• E-government and turning the tax organization into the country's financial police are the most important ways to combat corruption.

Jalili: 

• If the fifth development plan mentions an 8 percent growth, this 8 percent growth requires serious work and significant planning in key areas such as foreign exchange earnings, employment, attracting investments and leveraging technological opportunities.
• Productivity is not achieved only through investments. It is achieved through proper management.
• Real work must be distinguished from showmanship. The country cannot be run through shows and formalities.
• We have young specialists who can play a significant role (in carrying out real work). 
• We are currently in a situation where we need to recognize that if the world presents opportunities for Iran to leap forward, we must remove the obstacles.

Zakani: 

• I do not recall ever lying to the people, but if someone has lied, I have confronted them.
• Both me and my family are accountable for the 45 years since the Islamic Revolution, and by the grace of God, this is the way we have chosen to live our lives.
• Some talk about transparency but do not vote for transparency in the parliament. 
• Some people trust the enemy, which is naive. We must rely on the people and refer to our principles, resources and beliefs.
• Some problems in Tehran had remained unresolved for thirty years with various agencies, and I solved them (as a Tehran Mayor).

Qazizadeh Hashemi:

• We have a plan to return people to the villages, which requires the development of the villages.
• Villages should showcase the progress of the Iranian nation. The center of Iran's development should be the villages.
• We are running for Iran's presidency. We must fight against self-defeatism, corruption, inefficiency, populist rhetoric, irresponsibility, laziness, arrogance, and unscientific statements for the sake of the people.
• When we talk about consensus, the symbol of consensus was Martyr President Raeisi. He even spoke with his opponents. What mattered to him were the people.
• Martyr President Rajai also had similar characteristics as Martyr President Raeisi, which is why he became a historical symbol.

Pezeshkian:

• The main cause of inflation is the government, but then they blame producers and shopkeepers for it.
• We need to improve the living conditions of teachers, police officers, workers, etc., so they can have a good life. This requires addressing the money wasted by the government, which we can stop.
• Any government intervention should benefit the disadvantaged. The laws exist but the problem is we don't implement them.
•  The right people should implement the right ideas, and we shouldn't fight over this issue.
• Regarding international relations, we inevitably need to improve our connections with the world. No country can achieve prosperity and growth by closing its borders.

Qalibaf:

• I have presented my five-point priority plan in the past few weeks (of campaigning).
• We need to bridge the gap between inflation and people's wages with a protective shield so that people's livelihood doesn't weaken.
• For five to six essential goods, including essential household items, we will cover them under the welfare card.
• Housing is important as it ensures family peace. With my experience in municipal management and home building, we can provide each family with a 200-square-meter plot of land that has residential permits, as long as their application is not red-flagged.
• This (housing plan) will be achieved in more than 80 percent of cities and all villages.
• The car market is an important issue for the country's economy. Today, the cars owned by our drivers on the roads are 25 to 30 years old. We will solve this issue with car imports.
• I will also address the issue of the eastern border wall while considering marketplaces.
• I will also pursue the idea of a second (economic) capital on the Indian Ocean coast.
• Villages must be centralized, and the vulnerable village heads must have job security. Employment must return to the villages.
• In agriculture, unfortunately, the selling price of products leaves farmers with only 25 to 30 percent of income, which shows that our distribution system is flawed.

Pourmohammadi:

• No matter the capability, budget, or plan of any government, if it doesn't solve a few fundamental issues, the situation will remain the same.
• Social security means the stability and peace of society. It means if someone falls ill, becomes disabled, or loses their job, is there anyone to take care of them?
• Currently, our social security system and pension organizations are unfortunately among the weakest parts of our system.
• All social security, military, and civilian pension enterprises should be consolidated under the ownership of their shareholders, meaning the families of the insured and pensioners.
• The management of social security enterprises should be free from government-imposed directives, like private enterprises.
• I have planned and discussed with many prominent advisors both inside and outside the country (Iranians abroad), and I have set a two-year plan for the infrastructure and a four-year plan to achieve these goals.

Jalili:

• We have a large government apparatus that consumes 80 percent of the budget. This is meant to be a refuge for the people so they don't feel overwhelmed when they approach the agriculture and industry departments.
• In 2013, when my opponent won, I told them as a gift that if the government machinery doesn't run, it will be like a car that you keep spending on but won't even take you to the end of the street.
• Programs can only be implemented when the government machinery is up and running.
• One of the serious problems is the slowness and the weariness of the government apparatus, which needs to be resolved.
• The (incoming) president must have a comprehensive understanding of the issues (facing the country) and the orders he issues.
• We have prepared 25 orders for the first month (of the new government), which require a decision. We have identified the problems to be solved.
• Just as you need a pattern to weave a carpet, you need to understand and identify these problems to govern the country.

Zakani:

• Confronting economic corruption is the first step I will take (as the president).
• I have been giving yellow cards to economic corruptors for 20 years. With your (people) vote, I will expel them from the economic field.
• Facing the powerful and bringing them down over the past 20 years has been a good experience for me.
• I will protect your (voters) security, rights, and freedom. I am known for defending even the rights of my opponents.
• I will implement the employment and electric vehicle package.
• By the new year, there will be a revolution in public transportation in Tehran.
• The country's mining capacity is unparalleled, but it is being plundered today due to economic corruption by a few.

Qazizadeh Hashemi:

• My government has promised to address 100 issues that people have with 100 solutions within a year and a half.
• We will implement other programs that we discussed in debates within the four years of the government.
• If my programs are not implemented and I do not fulfill my promises, I definitely won't run for the next presidential election.
• Our commitment in the program for economic growth is an 8 percent growth rate and $200 billion in investments.
• We need to make our economic environment predictable and control instability, currency shocks, and inflation.
• A significant portion of the 50 percent inflation at the beginning of Mr. Raeisi's government (inherited from the previous government) was due to printing money to buy foreign currency.
• Budget imbalance must be corrected and budget allocation should be performance-based.
• The banking system's imbalances need to be addressed as well.
• Revolution in administrative procedures and the governance system of the country can only solve these problems.
• Transparency, eliminating golden signatures, and removing crony and rent-seeking culture are essential steps in tackling these issues.

Pezeshkian:

• Identifying the problem is not an issue, finding solutions is. It was planned to create 1 million housing units and 1 million jobs and resolve inflation, why didn't it happen.
• If you are in the field, you should solve problems. If we say we will solve it in one day, it's not possible.
• If those who have been replaced are more knowledgeable and better managers, continue on the same path.
• We must take responsibility for our actions. If we don't fulfill our promises, we should be held accountable.
• The laws of the land and the Leader of the Islamic Revolution's general directives are our common covenant.
• Conflict means the destruction of the country. We must set aside our differences.

Qalibaf:

• Everyone knows me. I am a man of action, not of tension, quarrels, and discord. I have dedicated all my life and youth to the life and religion of the people of Iran.
• Quarrels and discord do not lead to any solution except making our people hopeless.
• We have endeavored to improve the rights of soldiers as much as possible (in the next government).
• Before there used to be no formal schedule, and the people did not have the right to know when a plan would start and end.
• All five priorities I mentioned have been my tradition and work plan, and I will definitely schedule my plans so that I will not owe the people in this world and the hereafter.
• I will strive to serve (the country) without (engaging in) political disputes and be an executive manager.

Pourmohammadi:

• If I have the highest oil income, the best programmers will write the best programs, and the best managers will serve people. Everything gets stuck with a flawed administrative structure and system.
• One of our problems in recent decades is the dysfunctional and pseudo-modern bureaucracy that has emerged from outside.
• A senior manager should not just have knowledge of administrative systems, but should also be immersed in their details.
• I have had direct presence and expertise in the country's major administrative sectors for 45 years.
• Electronic government means not visiting any government office, not writing any paper, not waiting, and not spending a lot of money.
• Our children are mobile children. They don't understand the future of social and administrative relationships. Artificial intelligence and digital services can cater to them.
• One of the country's economic problems is related to the administrative system.

Jalili:

• A large part of our society is censored by the media. They talk about women, but women who are heads of households, rural women, and housewives are censored and not seen.
• Sometimes slogans are raised (by some) that they are supporters of women, but when we examine closely, the main segments advancing in society are ignored.
• 27 percent of our population lives in villages, but when facilities are supposed to be provided, they are not given a fair share of the budget.
• More than 50 percent of our (sports) medalists are from villages. We must have a program for sports talent identification.
• One of the important issues is related to workers in corporate companies and their job security, who form the foundation of production. They should participate in the efficiency of their companies, both economically and mentally.
• Thousands of billion tomans worth workers' rights are given to intermediary companies. It should go to the worker's pocket, especially in the age of technology where intermediaries can be reduced.
• Some money should be accounted for. For example, 58 percent of this year's budget is allocated to government companies. If 25 percent of the budget for non-governmental companies is removed for wastage and unnecessary costs, many problems will be solved.
• Every year, several billion dollars worth oil and gas revenues of the country are squandered.

Zakani:

• We must empower the people in the areas of politics, culture, and society.
• The infrastructure for golden subsidies exists in the country and needs concerted efforts (for proper implementation).
• In the housing sector, I will present the resettlement package in the first year of my government.
• We will continue contractual purchases from farmers and livestock breeders, a task we undertook in the Tehran Municipality and collaborated for same with Martyr President Raeisi's government.
• We will harmonize the rights of retirees, which we have legislation for, over a period of 3 years.
• We will pursue marriage facilitation and easing services, considering the service sectors we provide, both in dowries and housing loans, etc.
• We will also offer special services in the area of fertility incentives.
• Every household should be a factory, and every village should have a complex of services and charities.
• Safeguarding your freedom, security, and privacy, and creating ample opportunities for internet access and employment are part of our program.

Qazizadeh Hashemi:

• We will not allow economic conditions to exclude recreational and tourism activities from the Iranian family's basket. The "Culture Card" will be provided to Iranian families to choose cultural recreations according to their preferences.
• Completing the unfinished projects of Martyr Raeisi's government is among our plans.
• We will present a comprehensive media bill to the parliament to entrust supervision of the cultural and media sphere to experts.
• Developing the internet and changing the basis of filtering is one of our commitments.
• I will complete the implementation of the law supporting the disabled people, which began during Martyr President Raeisi's tenure.
• I will strike at the hydra-headed dragon of corruption.

Masoud Pezeshkian:

• If we ask the people what their primary problems are, they would say inflation, unemployment, instability, and unjustifiable taxes.
• In my view, the most important task for the (incoming) president is to answer why these issues have not been resolved.
• The reason for unresolved problems is structural gaps and the gap between people and government.
• With conflicts and divisions, we cannot find solution to issues such as inflation, multi-tiered exchange rate system, energy carrier pricing, water issues, and sanctions.
• Rational approaches amidst conflicts and divisions become ineffective and themselves turn into subjects of dispute.
• I will never accept non-expert and empty promises. Expertise along with accountability is my approach.
• I consider accountability and freedom of expression essential for a transparent and accountable government, free from corruption.

Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf:

• The issues we discuss have been the problems of the past two decades and have always been raised but not resolved.
• We must pay attention to the enemy's plans with our actions and behavior, and not follow a path that follows the enemy's plan.
• People are concerned about renting homes, where to go after the lease ends, and where to seek refuge in the outskirts of the city. We must create peace of mind for the people, especially for the youth.
• We should not stoke tensions, but seek openness. In conflicts and debates, we should address the problems facing people.
• We need the power of consensus-building, management, and cooperation.
• The root of corruption lies in inefficiency.
• Our fundamental problem is that when we take up responsibility, people's concerns become our secondary concern. Whatever we want for ourselves, we must want the same for people as well.
• People today are not comfortable and are distressed. We must find a solution for them to fulfill our Islamic and Iranian duty.

Mostafa Pourmohammadi:

• Within one year, we will bring a general leap and a completely positive balance to the capital market and stock exchange.
• People have been asked what the most important issues and problems are and 73.5 percent have said it is economic issues.
• This is a significant number, indicating that the vast majority of people consider the economy as the main issue.
• The capital market and stock exchange are indicators of economic growth in modern economies and the barometer of any economy.
• If you want to understand how (a country's) economy is doing, look at the stock market.
• My effort in the next government is for the stock market to be clear and transparent.

Saeed Jalili:

• I have two main priorities that I presented to Martyr President Raeisi's government at the beginning. One is foreign exchange earnings, and the other is employment.
• If we are worried about inflation and the exchange rate, it goes back to the need for a successful program in these two areas.
• Our villages should not be seen as places of poverty and deprivation. Villages can be the cells of the country's leap forward.
• The job security of our village structures, especially our village officials, must be ensured so they can implement the programs.
• Our farmers face difficulties in marketing their products. For instance, one million tons of apples are produced in West Azerbaijan, but farmers should not have problems exporting this amount.
• Today, villages should have the opportunity to obtain loans using rural property documents and agricultural equipment.
• Over the past 10-11 years, I have seen many villages achieve great successes. For example, the village of Lighvan in Tabriz. Some villages in Hamadan have 200 workshops.
• One of the countries that has become an economic hub had exports of $13.5 billion in the year of our revolution. Forty years later, their exports exceeded $2 trillion. So, this is possible.
• Martyr President Raeisi's government set a record in non-oil exports.
• We can compete with many countries, including China, in clothing production, but it requires a proper program.
• We have nine executive programs to achieve success in watershed management, expansion of greenhouses, land consolidation, and more.
• We must celebrate the end of water delivery by tankers in the next government.

Alireza Zakani:

• My 'service-oriented government' is ready to provide its services by implementing the country's Constitution in various dimensions.
• I have stepped forward for justice and the equitable distribution of the country's resources and wealth creation, with the participation of people in it.
• I have presented a plan in two key areas: development and progress, and meeting people's needs within the framework of religious democracy.
• My first initiative will be to pay the golden subsidy. Each person will receive a subsidy equivalent to 20 million tomans annually at today's rate, and gasoline prices will revert from 3,000 tomans to 1,500 tomans.
• My plan will eliminate smuggling, energy imbalances, and environmental damage, and make the general public wealthier. 95 percent of people will benefit from this plan.
• I have plan for housing as well. In the short term, I will pursue the establishment of a rental organization and create financial support for a portion of down payments and foster professional development in the rental sector.
• In the health sector, no one should suffer from financial pain in addition to their illness. I have proposed a comprehensive package that health officials and experts welcomed.
• I will also ensure food security. No one should go to bed on empty stomach. Our good experience in the (Tehran) municipality has provided us with a solid foundation to achieve this for the general public.

Amir-Hossein Qazizadeh Hashemi:

• We must address economic problems both fundamentally and immediately.
• We must seriously pursue economic growth, but will also take immediate actions to ensure minimum welfare for Iranian families.
• The conversion of contractual to permanent status for government servants will be implemented.
• We will make it easier for young people to get married by providing a one billion toman credit for marriage, housing, and employment.
• We will allocate the share of electricity, gas, and gasoline equally to all Iranian families.
• I will continue the path of Martyr President Raeisi to build 2.6 million housing units. By the second year of my administration, I will hand over the keys to all these 2.5 million housing units to their owners.
• I will stand against the automotive mafia and will liberalize the import of new and used cars.
• I will end compulsory military service for the youth.

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