Reformist Figures: We Will Not Leave the Political Scene Despite Disqualifications

Several reformist figures, including Hossein Marashi, Mohammad-Reza Aref, and Abdolvahed Mousavi Lari, have emphasized that reformists will not leave the political scene despite widespread disqualifications and will strive to introduce candidates from among those close to 'reformist principles.' According to ISNA news agency, Hossein Marashi, spokesperson for the Construction Workers Party, announced on Saturday, January 23, at a conference of provincial reformist councils that many reformist figures voluntarily did not register for the parliamentary elections to help prevent a radical atmosphere from dominating the elections. He stressed that 'we entered the elections to rebuild the relationship between reformists and the system, but due to disqualifications... we could not accomplish what we needed to.' Several reformist figures and representatives from the sixth parliament, including members of the Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution Organization and the Participation Front, as well as reformists who were arrested during the 2009 presidential elections, have not registered as candidates for the Islamic Consultative Assembly elections. However, according to Mr. Marashi, in Tehran, only five reformist candidates were approved, and in other electoral districts, only 25 reformist candidates were approved. The spokesperson for the Construction Workers Party predicted that in the next month, 'positive events will occur, and effective national figures will return to the electoral arena.' Mr. Marashi had previously stated that out of three thousand reformist candidates, 'only 30 people,' or 'one percent' of the candidates, were approved. Ali Pourali Motlagh, Secretary of the National Election Headquarters, announced on Thursday that if 'a large number' of disqualified candidates are not approved, 'there will be no competition or participation in some electoral districts.' Nevertheless, Mohammad-Reza Aref, head of the reformist policy council, said at the provincial reformist councils' conference, 'We are not worried about providing lists for the provinces. We have prominent figures we can rely on.' Mr. Aref emphasized that despite the disqualification of reformist candidates, 'we must prevent despair' and think about the 2016 presidential elections as well. He stressed that Hassan Rouhani's government must remain 'to bring other JCPOAs to fruition,' adding, 'If we retreat now, we will have to retreat in future elections as well.' The reformist policy council also stated on Sunday, January 17, that the widespread disqualifications and 'failure to verify' the qualifications of candidates from this group were 'unacceptable' and announced that despite the current situation, reformists and other supporters of the government would participate in the elections. Previously, Ali Shakouri-Rad, Secretary-General of the National Unity Party of Iran, announced that if their candidates are disqualified in the elections, reformists will support 'moderate and independent' candidates. Meanwhile, Abdolvahed Mousavi Lari, Minister of Interior in Mohammad Khatami's government, said on Saturday that it is not necessary for reformists to introduce candidates in all electoral districts; rather, 'the important thing is not to let them arrange the puzzle uniformly and to disrupt their game.' On the same day, Mohammad Javad Haqshenas, a member of the National Trust Party, also stated that despite widespread disqualifications, reformists can still introduce candidates from among young figures and those who adhere to 'reformist principles' in all electoral districts. In recent days, several reformist groups, including the Assembly of Teachers of Qom Seminary and the Islamic Medical Society, have protested the widespread disqualifications of candidates for the parliamentary elections. Meanwhile, according to the website Kalemeh, close to Mir-Hossein Mousavi, the Islamic associations of 85 universities protested the disqualification of '99 percent' of reformist candidates, stating that 'extremist currents are constantly trying to convey to the people that with the arrival of a new government, no change has occurred, and things continue as before.' These Islamic associations called on the President of Iran to 'use all his powers' to ensure that 'the hope created in the hearts of the people does not fade away.' Besides the reformists, some principlists, including Abbas Vaez Tabasi, representative of the Supreme Leader in Khorasan Razavi Province, Ghorbanali Dori Najafabadi, Friday prayer leader of Arak, and Ali Motahari, representative of Tehran in the parliament, have protested the widespread disqualifications of parliamentary candidates. Mr. Motahari also stated on Saturday that the root of widespread disqualifications lies in 'unfounded fears' that 'some believe the people will be deceived and may choose individuals who stand against the system and the Supreme Leader.' He pointed out the principlists' concerns about forming a parliament similar to the sixth parliament, which had a reformist majority, stating that this parliament was 'unsuccessful' except for the issue of the representatives' sit-in. According to Khabar Online, he added, 'We should not be afraid that a parliament against the system will be formed.' A large number of representatives from the sixth parliament, which was predominantly reformist, were disqualified for the seventh parliament elections. 139 representatives from the sixth parliament, including some members of its presiding board, staged an unprecedented sit-in in the history of the Islamic Republic's parliament in protest against this action, but this sit-in did not change the Guardian Council's vote. In recent months, several appointees of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, including Reza Taghavi, head of the Policy Council of Friday Prayer Leaders, and Hossein Najat, cultural deputy of the Revolutionary Guards, have stated that a parliament like the sixth parliament should not be formed.