The fact that Mr. Pezeshkian is “a reformist” makes him noteworthy. However, not in the broadly defined, democratic, liberal sense of the word.
“The reformists” are one ideological subset of the governing class of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Like their conservative adversaries, they are Islamists, but they think the regime’s doctrine might benefit both the ruling clergy and Iranian society more if it were more moderate.
From 1997 to 2005, reformists ruled the country, then from 2013 to 2021, they formed a de facto alliance under the president Hassan Rouhani, a former conservative who turned centrist.
They have frequently demanded a society that is more democratic and free.
However, in contrast to the previous reformist government of the late 1990s, their campaign in the 2024 election did not include any promises for a more democratic and free society.
Iran has seen several waves of opposition and oppression during the 1990s. Over the past 20 years, many well-known reformists have served time in prison as a result of harsh political crackdowns.
Despite being part of the establishment, it is commonly known that they have no influence over important power centers like the Supreme National Security Council, the Guardian Council, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), and the Supreme Leader’s Office.
