In this picture made available by Iranian state-run TV, IRIB, reformist presidential candidate for June 28, election Masoud Pezeshkian shows a graph of Iranians calorie consumption per capita in a debate of the candidates at the TV studio in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, June 20, 2024.
The candidates also discussed inflation, the budget deficit, fuel consumption subsidies and education. They all promised to try to get the sanctions lifted and to introduce reforms, but none offered concrete details. Regarding the health sector and the emigration of doctors and nurses abroad, Qalibaf said there should be a fundamental change in the way health workers are paid to increase the motivation to stay.
All the candidates said they believe the Education Ministry is the most important part of the government because “the next generation of the country is raised in this ministry.” Qalibaf said the ministry’s budget must be increased.