Afshani, who served as the governor of Fars Province in Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s first term, was chosen by 19 votes of the 21 members on Sunday morning to fill the unexpired term of former Mayor Mohammad Ali Najafi.
Najafi resigned in mid-March, citing poor health conditions. In April, the City Council finally accepted Najafi’s second resignation and launched negotiations to find a successor.
Born in Iran’s western province of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, the new 59-year-old mayor of Tehran is known as a ‘reformist’ figure and a member of the National Trust political party.
Afshani served as the governor of Fars province during Rouhani’s first term, namely Iran’s 11th administration.
The incoming mayor has also the experience of holding top posts at the Interior Ministry, Ministry of Education, and a number of provincial governor administrations.