Will Pezeshkian succeed?
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That said, this is no cakewalk for him or his government. Past experiences indicate that concerns over emerging disagreements and pushback against Pezeshkian’s domestic and foreign policy initiatives are not unfounded. As such, crossing one’s fingers for successful implementation of his programs might be a bit too optimistic.
Despite the challenges, several factors make optimism about the president-elect’s success more than just wishful thinking. These factors stem from the experiences that various political factions have gone through over the past decades. One of them is the unmet demands of the people, which past governments failed to address, leading to widespread dissatisfaction. Voter turnout below 50% in the 2021 presidential election, parliamentary elections in March, and the first round of the recent presidential election speaks volumes about this discontent.
If not for Pezeshkian’s programs and promises of change, it’s conceivable that even more voters would have thrown in the towel this time. Now, the fact that voter turnout has hit 50% has relieved not only Pezeshkian but his defeated rivals, too, all of whom now hope to patch things up between the people and the government and drive up turnout in future elections.
Consequently, the failure of Pezeshkian and his government to deliver on their promises, especially on the economy and increased civil liberties, won’t just fall on his shoulders or those of the reformists alone. Instead, the fallout will affect all entities and branches of power, further widening the chasm between the people and their leaders.
It’s reasonable to expect, then, that all power players committed to bolstering the Islamic Establishment and improving living conditions will draw from past confrontational policies and rally behind the new government, setting aside differences for the common good. Naturally, such national cooperation demands the new government reciprocate by engaging constructively with its rivals and striking a moderate, inclusive tone. Pezeshkian’s political track record shows he is, at heart, a moderate reformist.