Rohani: The People's Vote to Institutions and Organizations Indicates Everyone Should Focus on Their Own Work

Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, in his first press conference after winning the elections on May 29, once again referred to the 'people's demand to have their voices heard' and reminded that the people in this election 'said no to diminishing the position of the leadership and institutions like the IRGC and Basij.' In this press conference, Mr. Rouhani recalled the presence of 42 million people at the ballot boxes, stating that these people wanted to declare 'we are a nation, and our voices must be heard.' He elaborated on what the people expressed in the elections, saying that they wanted to indicate that 'pluralism is recognized in our country, and no group, thought, ideology, or idea can be eliminated.' He added that in this election, 'people who have economic problems said no to imaginary national income 2.5 times larger and to those who think of a bigger economy.' Mr. Rouhani added that people are interested in the armed forces, media, and other powers, 'but they do not accept that a national or transnational institution becomes a sub-national institution and a faction.' He also mentioned that 'it was very important that in the elections, the people told all institutions and organizations that everyone should focus on their own work; the people said that we will maintain the respect for our institutions, and these institutions belong to all people, not a specific group or faction. The people said no to diminishing the leadership and the positions of the IRGC and Basij.' The Iranian President had previously made unprecedented criticisms of the institutions under the Supreme Leader during the election campaign, questioning the factional use of the IRGC, the judiciary, state media, and the Astan Quds. In Iran, in addition to the role of appointed institutions like the Guardian Council in the presidential election process, the political structure of the country, where the Supreme Leader has extensive powers above the head of state, creates a basis for critics' view that choosing among the existing candidates will not significantly change the direction of the Iranian government. In this regard, Mr. Rouhani had previously stated that the 51% vote he received in 2013 limited his ability to fulfill some promises and that he needs a higher vote to fulfill promises such as lifting the house arrest of the leaders of the Green Movement. Nevertheless, he raised the expectations from his government during the election debates with promises including eradicating absolute poverty in the new term and lifting non-nuclear sanctions against Iran. The promise to eradicate poverty, which is also included in Mr. Rouhani's program for the twelfth government, was the subject of several questions from journalists in the press conference on Monday. In this regard, Mr. Rouhani said that in 2016, after an increase in oil revenues, a plan to 'increase the income of the lower deciles' went to the parliament, and currently, the income of the 8 to 10 million low-income individuals in the country 'has more than tripled compared to last year.' He continued, 'Our program and promise was that by the end of this government, the income of these individuals will increase fivefold, and it will definitely happen, and our goal is to eradicate absolute poverty by the end of this government in 2021.' Regarding lifting non-nuclear sanctions, Mr. Rouhani emphasized that if it is the 'will of the nation' and 'the order of the leadership,' we will pursue this issue. At the same time, the lifting of the house arrest of the leaders of the protesters in the 2009 elections, which was one of the repeated demands of Mr. Rouhani's supporters in election gatherings, was not directly questioned in the press conference on Monday, and only a journalist from the conservative newspaper Siyasat Rooz, describing the 2009 protests as law-breaking, called for Mr. Rouhani to clarify his stance on this matter once and for all. However, Mr. Rouhani responded to this question by saying, 'I am responsible for the rights of every single Iranian citizen, even Iranians abroad without exception. Wherever I see and feel that the rights of an Iranian inside or outside have been violated or unjustly treated, I will support them to the best of my ability.' He then emphasized that one of the goals of the twelfth government will be 'the implementation of the Charter of Citizens' Rights.' Mr. Rouhani also promised that in his new cabinet, he would promote youth and reduce the average age of management in the country by five years. The second term of Mr. Rouhani's presidency will begin in August of this year, following the swearing-in ceremony traditionally held in mid-August. If there are no changes in Mr. Rouhani's cabinet during the remaining time, he will still have to introduce his cabinet to the parliament after the start of the twelfth government.