TEHRAN (Dispatches) — Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei officially endorsed Ehrahim Raisi as the nation’s next president on Tuesday, just two days ahead of his inauguration.
In his speech, Ayatollah Khamenei advised Raisi, a former judiciary chief, to “empower the country’s poor people and improve the national currency.”
The Leader focused on Iran’s domestic issues, praising Raisi’s anti-corruption campaign and asking him to encourage local production.
“The nation needs competent, effective and brave management,” he said.
“Today, our dear country is thirsty for valuable service and is ready to make a leap in all areas. The country needs competent, jihadi, intelligent, courageous management that can organize the manifest and hidden capabilities of the nation — in particular those of the youth, which are much greater in scope than the problems,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.
A management is needed that can bring these capabilities into the field for constructive work and endeavor, eliminate the obstacles in the way of production, seriously pursue policies for strengthening the national currency, and empower the middle and lower classes of society that are shouldering the burden of economic problems, it added.
Raisi stressed in his speech he would “pursue the removal of oppressive sanctions” in order to salvage the economy.
“We will not (tie) the people’s dining tables and the economy to the will of the foreigners,” he said. Raisi won a landslide victory in the June election. He will take the oath of office in an inauguration ceremony Thursday before parliament.
Raisi described the June 18 election as a manifestation of religious democracy in the Islamic Republic.
“Despite all the hostile propaganda by the enemies, the safety precautions dictated by the coronavirus pandemic and other problems, the turnout was magnificent and people created a great epic in this election, disappointing enemies and heartening friends,” he said.
Through their participation in the election, Raisi said, the Iranian people sent a message that they are demanding “change, justice as well as a fight against corruption, poverty and discrimination.”
Raisi pointed out that the people’s

trust in the administration has been hurt more than their livelihoods, adding that by voting, they demonstrated that they want the new administration “to restore that trust and reduce the gap with the public.”
A strong relationship between the nation and the administration is the key to resolving problems and helping the country stand against enemies, he said.
Raisi also called on all people, including intellectuals, thinkers, and officials, to work together to bring about the changes needed by the country.
Ayatollah Khamenei said in many countries, the transition of power is usually marred by conflict, but the process in Iran has been peaceful and secure at various junctures.
“This ceremony, which is based on the Constitution and is a legacy of the great Imam [Khomeini], has been repeated many times over the past decades. It is a symbol of the transition of the very important responsibility of the government’s executive branch, namely managing the country, in a rational, peaceful and dignified manner. This is a highly significant issue,” Ayatollah Khamenei added.
The Leader further called for a swift formation of the administration and said, “The country’s conditions do not warrant a delay” in the process.
Ayatollah Khamenei advised the new president to make efforts to realize the “Popular Administration” slogan, under which he campaigned for election, and maintain a close relationship between the administration and the people.
“Resolving the economic problems takes time. Our dear people already know that,” said the Leader. “Endeavors should be made to shorten the period as much as possible.”
These days, the Leader said, the country’s shortcomings and woes have been much discussed, but Iran’s capacities in different sectors are extraordinary and beyond the problems.
“Undoubtedly, problems can be overcome on the back of these capacities on the condition that they be well understood and tireless and round-the-clock efforts be made,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.