Rescuers in Iran were racing on Sunday to find the crash
site of a helicopter that was carrying President Ebrahim Raisi to find out the
fate of all those on board. Below is brief outline of what Iran's constitution
says happens if a president is incapacitated or dies in office:
According to article 131 of the Islamic Republic's
constitution, if a president dies in office, the first vice president takes
over, with the confirmation of the supreme leader, who has the final say in all
matters of state.
A council consisting of the first vice president, the
speaker of parliament and the head of the judiciary must arrange a election for
a new president within a maximum period of 50 days.
Raisi was elected president in 2021 and, under the current
timetable, presidential elections are due to take place in 2025.