Less than two months into his tenure as the new mayor of Tehran, Mohammad Ali Najafi is already facing serious challenges. The Reformist politician took over the reins from conservative Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who held the post for 12 years (2005-2017). Ghalibaf’s mayorship came to an end in late August, but managers loyal to him at the Tehran municipality seem to be refusing to take new orders and have thus made the situation somewhat difficult for his successor.
After much back and forth, Najafi formally took office Aug. 27 upon the decree of Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli. The former education minister was unanimously elected to the post by the Reformist-dominated Tehran City Council following the May 19 village and city council elections, which were held in parallel with the presidential election.