A Reformist politician in Tehran has brought attention to a troubling trend where a minority of hardliners exerts an outsized influence on the fate of Iran as a whole.
Gholamreza Zarifian, a prominent political activist, said in an interview that this authoritarian minority poses a significant political challenge by promoting radical agendas, ultimately undermining the government’s social capital.
Zarifian asserted that four decades post the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iranian conservatives persist in disregarding historical lessons. They cling to the belief that they are divinely ordained to dictate the course of Iran’s destiny.
This mindset instills a sense of inferiority among the populace, shifting Iran from a nation that propelled the constitutional Revolution in 1905 to one devoid of influence over its own future, largely due to the conservative elite’s monopolization of power.
As parliamentary election approach on March 1, there is general apathy among the population, especially after hundreds of regime loyalist candidates were banned from running for no clear reason.
In the absence of real competition at least among regime politicians, everyone is aware that hardliners will win the vote.
Zarifian argued that the public mood resembles the same feeling of inferiority among the people that led to the downfall of monarchy and the coming to power of the Islamic Republic in Iran in 1979.
He says under the monarchy, the appearance of a modern society existed in Iran as the three powers of the government had been separated from each other, but the people’s vote were ignored in furthering the political dynamics of the society.
At that time, a minority undermined the interests of the nation and a chosen few imposed their will on the whole society.
Zarifian remarked that the Iranian nation finds itself in a situation reminiscent of 45 years ago, with the key difference being that this time, the ruling class of the Islamic Republic disregards the rights of society.
Highlighting the shortcomings of the electoral process, Rasoul Montajabnia, another reformist figure, called on the government to either ensure transparent and fair elections or rename the Islamic Republic to accurately represent its religious governance.
He criticized the biased vetting of candidates, pointing out the stark contrast between people’s expectations and the government’s outdated election practices.
Montajabnia noted that Iranians are far ahead of their government, ridiculing the backward manner in which elections are conducted.
He referenced the lies officials have told the people over the past 45 years, stating, “We have treated the people in a way that if we tell them it is daylight, they would become convinced that it is definitely nighttime.”
The cleric argued that the arbitrary vetting of candidates by the Guardian Council has eradicated any semblance of democracy in Iran.
He further contended that in some constituencies, there is no real competition as the number of candidates approved by the Guardian Council matches precisely the number of available seats.
Illustrating the impact of this governance approach on individuals in Iranian society, Tehran City Councillor Zahra Nezhad Bahram informed the press that approximately 67 percent of highly educated personnel from the country’s knowledge-based companies are planning to leave Iran permanently, with some already initiating their emigration process.
This systemic flaw intensifies frustrations among Iran’s educated populace, leading to a significant brain drain as skilled professionals seek opportunities abroad.
Bahram stressed the immediate need for policy reforms to retain and leverage Iran’s intellectual capital for sustainable progress.
