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All six approved candidates in Iran's presidential election onstage in Tehran on May 5 for the second of the three live debates. The election is set for May 19.
All six approved candidates in Iran's presidential election onstage in Tehran on May 5 for the second of the three live debates. The election is set for May 19.

Live Blog: Iran's Final Presidential Debate

* The six candidates approved for Iran's strictly vetted presidential ballot are appearing for the last of three live televised debates before the May 19 election. The topic is economics.

* Iranian President Hassan Rohani is seeking a second four-year term. His main challenges from the conservative side are expected to come from cleric Ebrahim Raisi and Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. (Read profiles of the candidates.)

* The official campaign period ends on May 17, two days before voting in the first round of a possible two-round election. If no candidate gets more than half of the vote, the second round would be held on May 26.

* Official media put the number of eligible voters at around 55 million.

* In the first debate, the candidates clashed over Rohani's record on job creation. In the second debate, Rohani's conservative rivals accused him of having failed to "cash the check" from the 2015 deal curbing Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for international sanctions relief.

*NOTE: Times are stated according to local time in Tehran (GMT +4 1/2)

12:03 28.4.2017

A little reminder of where Iran stands economically in the region, at least according to the 2016 indicators as cited by The World Bank:

Iran is the second largest economy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region after Saudi Arabia, with an estimated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2016 of US$412.2 billion. It also has the second largest population of the region after Egypt, with an estimated 78.8 million people in 2015. Iran’s economy is characterized by the hydrocarbon sector, agriculture and services sectors, and a noticeable state presence in manufacturing and financial services. Iran ranks second in the world in natural gas reserves and fourth in proven crude oil reserves. Economic activity and government revenues still depend to a large extent on oil revenues and therefore remain volatile.

12:04 28.4.2017

Here is a picture of the stage with the six candidates.

12:05 28.4.2017

The candidates are: incumbent President Hassan Rohani, a reformist; conservative cleric and former prosecutor Ebrahim Raisi; Tehran Mayor and former police chief Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf; reformist First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri, a Rohani ally; conservative former Culture Minister Mostafa Mirsalim; and former Iranian National Olympic Committee head Mostafa Hashemitaba, a centrist.

12:09 28.4.2017

The moderator says the debate will focus on social issues. The state TV had originally said that the focus would be on socioeconomic issues.

12:10 28.4.2017

Here are some of the social and economic issues that are likely to arise in the April 28 debate and throughout the campaign.

Talking Points: Social, Economic Issues Focus Of First Iran Debate

A woman walks with her purchases at the Grand Bazaar in central Tehran.
A woman walks with her purchases at the Grand Bazaar in central Tehran.

12:10 28.4.2017

A few hours before the debate, Tehran’s Friday prayers Leader hard-line Ayatollah Khatami said that candidates should have the interests of the establishment in mind while debating. He added that comments that weaken the establishment are considered haram.

12:12 28.4.2017

Mostafa Mirsalim,former culture minister, was drawn to be the first to speak in today's debate.

12:14 28.4.2017

Mirsalim was asked about what to do about poor people living in the margins of big cities.

12:16 28.4.2017

Mostafa Hashemitaba is next. He ran in 2001 and finished 10th, winning a paltry 28,000 votes.

12:18 28.4.2017

President Hassan Rohani is the third candidate to answer the moderator's question about poor people living in the outskirts of big cities. He says unemployment is a major factor.

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