Having suffered electoral defeat in presidential elections of 2005 [which made Mahmoud Ahmadinejad head of the executive branch of the government], the Reformist camp decided to give up with the idea of a designated Reformist candidate in 2013. Mohammad-Reza Aref stepped aside in favor of Hassan Rouhani four days before the Election Day, paving the way for the latters victory. Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri was dispatched by the Reformists as a cover candidate by the Reformists in the 2017 presidential election to serve as a buffer against criticisms targeting Rouhani. As the Election Day approached, Rouhanis remarks became more radical, so much so that some analysts said he had outpaced Reformists.
But the relation between the Reformists and Rouhani seems to have gone downhill since then. Despite high hopes by the Reformists, no women or ethnic minorities were selected in Rouhanis cabinet. A look at Rouhanis discourse after the 2017 presidential campaign shows a noticeable turn towards moderate Principlists and a distance from the Reformist camp. Observers said that Mahmoud Vaezi, Rouhanis new chief of staff, had made forays into Eshaq Jahangiris jurisdiction and marginalized the vice president. Others speculated that Rouhanis turn towards the Principlists is to groom Majles Speaker Ali Larijani for the 2021 presidential election.
The link between Rouhani and the Reformists is growing weaker day by day. Even Mohammad Khatami is said to have complained about Rouhani capitalizing on Reformists social credibility for his own political interests.
Ali Tajernia, Reformist politician and former MP, speaks of different attitudes and varying degrees of criticism towards Rouhani administration inside the Reformist front. However, he stresses that the Reformists have adopted a stance of supportive criticism against Hassan Rouhani.
Tajernia also emphasizes that despite criticisms towards Rouhanis government, Mohammad Khatami still supports the president and his team. Severe criticism against the government may tilt [the situation in favor of the opposition] says Tajernia. So I think even serious critics of Rouhani among the Reformists are practicing self-censorship, he adds. Reformists would have been more outspoken in their criticisms if there was less pressure on the government.
Mohammad-Ali Abtahi, Khatamis chief-of-staff from 1997 to 2001, reminds us that Rouhani has never declared himself a Reformist. Nothing has changed he says. Rouhani was the better choice for the Reformists [in presidential elections] due to the circumstances. We neither regret our choice, nor had any other option he asserts. But the Reformist politician is clear that Reformists have the right to criticize Rouhani because of their contribution to his victory.
Some of the criticisms to the performance of thecircle around RouhaniAbtahi says. They want to replace Principlism and Reformism, two solid political groups, with Moderation. But one cant establish a Moderation movement just by rallying around the president he says.
Disregard towards Reformists recommendations on Rouhanis second cabinet, particularly choices in charge of economy and domestic politics, Rouhanis non-materialization of his electoral promises, and formation of a cabinet of irreconcilable attitudes, have raised criticisms against Rouhani.
With the role Reformists and Khatami have played in Rouhanis victory, it is natural that they be more serious in their criticism, so to help the government succeed [in fulfilling its promises] he says. Supportive criticism is now more necessary than ever.
* This piece was originallypublishedFararu, a moderate Reformist website. The translation is an abridged version of the original.
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