Unable to outmaneuver the elected and unelected conservative officials to implement economic and social reforms, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has suggested direct referendums to resolve key issues. His proposal has garnered strong reactions from a number of Iranian conservatives and prompted various analyses over social media.

At a Jan. 4 economic conference in Tehran, Rouhani said, “Until when should our economy subsidize our policies? It subsidies both our foreign and domestic policies. Let’s reverse this relationship for one decade. Let’s have our foreign policy subsidize our economy, and let's see what happens to the people, their livelihood and the employment of their youth. Let’s ask the people. ”

Rouhani continued, “One of the articles of the constitution that has not been implemented from the beginning, one which I, as the chief executive of the constitution, would very much like for the conditions to be provided for, … [is] a referendum of the people on the important issues of the country. The constitution tells us that on important economic, social, political or cultural [issues], instead of parliament ratifying a bill, article of the constitution or direct program, a public vote and a referendum will be held.”

In an interview with Fars News Agency, conservative Kayhan newspaper's editor Hossein Shariatmadari said that Rouhani misunderstood the two articles in the constitution pertaining to referendums.