5 reasons Rouhani’s rivals want him to stay put
Despite loud calls for President Hassan Rouhani’s resignation, Iranian conservatives are unlikely to genuinely seek his ouster.
Parts of the Tehran Grand Bazaar, a traditionalist bastion in the heart of the Iranian capital, shuttered on June 25 in the wake of the significant currency devaluation and resulting high prices. The strike comes amid demands from mainly conservative political figures that President Hassan Rouhani resign due to his “inefficiency” and “mismanagement” of the economy. Yet, while the calls and speculation have continued, there are several reasons conservatives, at least for now, are not really seeking the president’s ouster.
First, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei strongly opposes Rouhani’s resignation on the basis that such a move could set a precedent that could be damaging to the stability of future administrations. In a June 27 speech, the Iranian president vowed that he will not resign and that Khamenei would henceforth by default endorse any decision made in the meetings of the three heads of government branches. The supreme leader recently softened his direct criticism of the president and has reportedly instructed the president to communicate such decisions before seeking his approval.
Second, Rouhani’s resignation could aggravate the economic and political situation in Iran, which has led to discontent over financial difficulties among both ordinary people and businessmen. Recognizing these dynamics and the dangers that could result from the government’s rivals seeking to capitalize on them, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, addressing Iran’s Chamber of Commerce on June 24, warned conservatives “not to assume they would win if President Rouhani leaves office,” saying that the enemies of the Islamic Republic are not targeting the administration or the political establishment but rather Iran as a whole.
Third, Iran’s economic problems are rooted in sanctions and foreign challenges as well as mismanagement and corruption. Given the complexity of these circumstances, it will be highly unlikely that a new president could resolve Iran's issues in a short time. Accordingly, any conservative and establishment-aligned president replacing the incumbent would end up facing the same situation that Rouhani is facing. The whole establishment could be held at fault, unable to blame the administration for mismanagement and inefficiency.
