Criticism of the 'Seventh Development Plan'; An Economist: It is Empty and Sloganeering

An economist criticized the 'Seventh Development Plan' currently under review in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, calling it 'empty and sloganistic' and describing it as aimed at 'distributing rents and throwing money around.' Farshad Momeni, in a note published in the Ham-Mihan newspaper, stated that the document of the 'Seventh Plan' is neither a plan nor related to development, urging the government and parliament to end the 'race to drag the country into the abyss of destruction.' The head of the 'Religion and Economy' institute pointed out the current political problems and emphasized that this document seeks 'development without addressing' the country's critical political, social, and cultural conditions, which he claims is impossible. Momeni believes that the developers' understanding of development in the government of Ebrahim Raisi and parliament is the allocation and distribution of 'irrational rents to various groups, individuals, and institutions.' According to him, everything in this document is 'hollow and performative,' and the increase in the number of provisions in the bill from '545 provisions' to '1008 provisions' by the joint commission is a 'disaster.' Criticism of the 'Seventh Development Plan' is not limited to professors and experts critical of the government; previously, the Research Center of the Parliament had also directed many criticisms at it. The report from the 'research arm' of the parliament indicated that the developers had a superficial view of development, with experts from the Research Center emphasizing that there was insufficient attention to 'strengthening competitive production' as the 'main super-challenge' of the country. The research arm of the parliament criticized the provisions of the 'Seventh Development Plan' bill, stating that with the traditional model prevalent in the country based on 'oil-centered' and 'government-centered' development through state investment, development goals cannot be achieved. All these criticisms come as the Islamic Consultative Assembly began reviewing the details of the 'Seventh Development Plan' last Tuesday and continues to have it on its agenda. However, before the parliament's review is completed and the ball goes to the Guardian Council, the Mizan news agency, affiliated with the judiciary, reported the start of the review of the 'Seventh Development Plan' bill in the 'Economic, Trade, and Administrative' and 'Infrastructure and Production' commissions of the Expediency Discernment Council. Interventions by the Expediency Discernment Council through the 'Supreme Supervisory Council' in parliamentary approvals before the Guardian Council's opinion has been a topic of protest from some representatives in recent months. The Expediency Discernment Council, which is considered an 'advisory' arm of Ali Khamenei, has formed a committee in recent years under the pretext of 'supervising the implementation of the general policies of the system' issued by Khamenei over the years to comment on the conformity of parliamentary approvals with 'general policies.' Meanwhile, according to the Constitution of the Islamic Republic, the Guardian Council is tasked with ensuring that parliamentary approvals conform to 'Sharia and the Constitution,' and in case of a dispute between the parliament and the Guardian Council, the Expediency Discernment Council acts as a 'judge.' Nevertheless, in recent decades, Ali Khamenei has expanded the scope of the authority and influence of the Expediency Discernment Council by citing the Guardian Council's interpretation of Article 110 of the Constitution, which interprets the powers of the 'Leader' as 'absolute.' Currently, this 'Council' considers itself qualified to 'reject parliamentary approvals' even before the Guardian Council gives its opinion. This issue has become a trend supported by Ali Khamenei despite some protests in the parliament. The 'Seventh Development Plan' bill was made public in May of this year, which predicts goals such as '8 percent economic growth,' '3.9 percent annual employment growth,' equivalent to one million jobs, alongside achieving '5.9 percent inflation' by the end of the program. Many economists have described these goals as 'hollow' and 'sloganistic.' The Seventh Development Plan of Iran faces serious challenges, being weaker than previous plans. A parliament representative rejected the government's prediction, stating that 8 percent economic growth is not feasible. After a 'non-public' meeting in the morning, the parliament voted positively on the 'generalities' of the 'Seventh Development Plan' bill in a public session. The review of the Seventh Plan begins amid media maneuvering by the parliament and government under the 'code name' development.