Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's proposal to hold a referendum to resolve the issues and differences between conservatives and Reformists have led many to harshly attack him.

On Feb. 11, the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, moderate Rouhani referred to Article 59 of the Iranian Constitution, saying, “If there are disagreements among the parties, [we should] bring in the ballot boxes and we will do whatever people say. Islam, Iran and the Iranian nation are our priorities.”

Rouhani’s proposal has been rejected by conservatives, who see it as a tactic to mislead public opinion. In this vein, Hossein Shariatmadari, editor of the hard-line Kayhan daily, said Feb. 12, “The proposition of a referendum by the president … may indicate his dissatisfaction with the presence of millions of people in the 22nd of Bahman [Feb. 11] marches, which emphasized the foundations of the revolution and the Islamic [political] system — and this was [tantamount to] an extensive referendum with millions saying ‘yes’ to the political system.”

Vahid Yaminpour, a hard-line TV host, also took a swipe at Rouhani, saying Feb. 12, “If a referendum is to be held, based on the findings of a survey by [presidential media adviser Hesamoddin] Ashna on people’s dissatisfaction with their livelihoods, the holding of a referendum on an early presidential election is the [top] priority."