100 days in office Pezeshkian’s success story
Balanced approach adopted in all sectors
By Ali Motahhari
Former MP
Given the regional and international circumstances, the government of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has begun its journey along the predetermined path and continued successfully. However, in certain areas, its actions are constrained and must align with the current critical juncture. Thus, in evaluating the government’s performance over its first 100 days, it would be unreasonable to expect more than what it has already accomplished. The key factor is whether the chosen path appears correct, and based on the government’s conduct over the past three months, this seems to be the case. Nevertheless, expectations from the government remain high.
The public rightfully expects inflation to be controlled, foreign relations to expand, regional issues to be managed effectively, and a balanced approach to be adopted — one that avoids neglecting certain sectors while overemphasizing others. These are the legitimate demands of Iranians from the incumbent government.
The government has succeeded in creating such a balance. In various fields, including healthcare and addressing nurses’ issues, significant progress has been made. Positive steps have also been taken in matters concerning retirees. In foreign policy, particularly in relations with Saudi Arabia, considerable advancements have been achieved. In agriculture, remarkable initiatives have been implemented, and wheat farmers’ demands have been met promptly.
In terms of freedom of expression, the government has displayed commendable conduct, combating certain forms of extremism and showing goodwill in addressing its critics. Overall, I have observed a successful first 100 days of this administration and hope for even greater achievements in the future.
Diplomacy in service of preventing widespread war
By
Ali Shakouri Rad
Reformist political activist
Recently, as part of the leadership of the Reformist Front, we met with President Pezeshkian. The meeting lasted over two hours, and I can confidently say that not only myself but all members present left with a very positive impression of the Iranian government’s progress. The report presented by Pezeshkian, along with his responses to questions about his administration’s performance, created a sense of reassurance among the Reformist leadership.
We are now confident that the government is well aware of its actions and their ultimate outcomes and it is diligently pursuing them. Of course, there are many challenges and issues, which we are all fully aware of. However, despite these challenges, the administration has taken significant steps toward fulfilling its promises. Although the intended final results have yet to be achieved, substantial progress has been made, and future actions will likely align with the people’s expectations. The president himself is committed to delivering on his promises, and concerns about the government’s progress have largely been alleviated.
Nonetheless, numerous crises persist, particularly the looming threat of war, which casts a shadow over the nation. Despite this, it appears that the Iranian government is managing the situation effectively. In the first 100 days, the administration has pursued active diplomacy and has successfully leveraged it to prevent the outbreak of a widespread war.
The full articles originally appeared on Iran
Newspaper.
Pros, cons of 100 days of governance
By Mohammad Fazeli
Sociologist
A hundred days have passed since Masoud Pezeshkian’s government took office, offering an opportunity to evaluate its strengths and weaknesses. I’ll begin with the shortcomings, considering both the perspective of citizens who voted with high hopes and that of a social and political activist seeking reforms that serve the collective good.
Weaknesses
1. Unresolved censorship of the Internet: The inability to lift the censorship of the Internet after nearly 100 days is not just a failure in itself but also reflects the government’s unclear approach and lack of transparency in addressing opposition and challenges.
2. Absence of baseline report: The government has not provided a report detailing the state of affairs it inherited. Such a report is essential not only for addressing critics but also for self-assessment and measuring progress.
3. Lack of clear economic vision: The administration has not demonstrated a cohesive economic perspective addressing the macroeconomic situation and sectoral challenges. The tendency of some economic officials to act like celebrities instead of making tough decisions undermines public confidence.
4. Weak communication: The government’s fragmented and inconsistent communication strategy has failed to effectively explain critical decisions, such as the ban on mazut burning, leaving the public uninformed and dissatisfied. A single spokesperson cannot suffice; communication requires greater coordination and clarity, especially in a low-trust society.
5. Opaque managerial appointments: While I oppose sweeping changes in managerial positions, the administration owes explanations for retaining or appointing certain individuals facing criticism. Similarly, controversial appointments in universities have gone unexplained, fueling skepticism.
Strengths
1. Avoiding escalation of conflicts: Despite heightened tensions in the region, the government has made commendable efforts to prevent Iran from being drawn into a full-scale war. Its diplomatic approach has influenced higher-level decision-making positively.
2. Inclusive appointments: By appointing Sunnis, women, ethnic minorities, and other marginalized groups to significant positions, the Iranian administration has broken long-standing taboos, paving the way for broader inclusivity.
3. Refusal to blame predecessors: The government has largely refrained from blaming its predecessors, avoiding the political immorality that often hampers Iranian governance. Instead, it has focused on accountability and moving forward.
4. Positive initiatives in governance: Efforts such as open calls for managerial elections in the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, as well as some promising appointments in environmental protection, are steps that could lead to significant long-term improvements.
5. Reinstatement of academics and students: The return of dismissed professors and students to universities signals a hopeful shift, even though deeper reforms in academic hiring and evaluation remain necessary.
Despite ambiguities and shortcomings, Masoud Pezeshkian’s government has delivered a defensible performance in its first 100 days. While challenges remain, a sense of optimism persists. The government must fuel this hope through small but meaningful achievements as these are crucial for navigating the difficult path ahead. The key lies in maintaining a clear vision of its goals and strategies to fulfill its promises and rebuild public trust.
Hope revived by gov’t
By Ahmad Khorram
Reformist political activist
Evaluating the performance of the government after just 100 days may not be entirely fair. A government typically requires at least six months to begin delivering on its promises. For instance, no economic relief plans have yet reached fruition, primarily due to the limited time the administration has had. However, despite the short duration, we cannot overlook the hope Iran’s incumbent government has revived in the hearts of Iranians.
It is evident that the administration is determined to resolve economic challenges. It is also our duty to assist it as much as possible, rather than staying on the sidelines while expecting perfection. To support the government effectively, we must first identify the challenges ahead. Only with sufficient understanding of these challenges can we work towards solutions.
Currently, the most pressing issue in our society is economic difficulties. The incumbent government is well aware of these issues and has prioritized them systematically. For example, addressing wages for workers, the situation of retirees, sanctions, and the soaring inflation rate — ten times the global average — are among the initiatives the government of Pezeshkian has begun tackling. However, achieving results will require time.
The change in administration alone has sparked hope among the people, and now, as the administration takes steps toward fulfilling its promises, this hope continues to grow. It is hoped that the incumbent government, with its dedication, will soon achieve the desired outcomes, freeing the nation from its current struggles.