“In order to help the Mehr housing project, as an act of charity yesterday (Sunday) Mr Ahmadinejad put his car up for sale,” according to Welfare and Social Security Minister Sadeq Mahsouli.
The Iranian president has worked hard to create the image of a friend of the poor and weak in his country. When he was first elected to rule Iran, back in 2005, he was required by law to declare all his possessions. His list only included a 40-year old house in a low-middle class part of Tehran, together with two bank accounts and the aging white Peugeot.
"In a charitable move, Mr. Ahmadinejad will auction off his [Peugeot] automobile at a gathering of the Mehr Housing Plan donors," Minister Sadeq Mahsouli was quoted as saying.
After his contested re-election last year, the president promised to fix the economy and the housing situation. During his first term as head of state, housing prices saw an increase due to lack of supply. Under the Mehr project, house builders are given free state land and cheap loans with which to build residential units for first-time buyers.
Though a 1977 Peugeot 504 can hardly be called a collectible by itself, this particular example should certainly have value, even if only as something to talk about.
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