June 25, 2021
Ahmad Tavakkoli, a former Majlis deputy now serving on the Expediency Council, says the public’s confidence in the state is at its lowest level since the overthrow of the monarchy.
In a speech to university students March 8, Tavakkoli also said that 60 percent of all Iranians now live in poverty.
Tavakkoli spent years in the Majlis and was one of its most respected conservative members, viewed as a serious legislator who didn’t waste time with rhetorical flourishes.
Tavakkoli drew attention in his recent speech when he said, “The public’s confidence in the state has not been as low as it is now in 40 years, and we should not fool ourselves about this.”
He said, “People do not protest if they deem the state capable, wise and benevolent, which validates its legitimacy. Therefore, people must view the state as strong, prudent, and compassionate before they abide by its decisions and rules. Before the events of November [2019 the protests against the tripling of gasoline prices], I called [on the government] to provide ‘smart cards’ and ‘health and food packages’ to the public, to meet their needs.”
But that was not done.
“We took similar measures right after the [1979] revolution when we contemplated giving people coupons,” Tavakkoli noted. “I have recommended the same steps to address the current situation and have warned that failure to take action could spark riots by the poor and the disadvantaged. I believe the danger is greater now and has only been averted by the coronavirus.”
Tavakkoli said, “The state must abandon some of its fundamental rules and principles to help the public, given that the situation has deteriorated for many people significantly. I am afraid that something that should not happen will happen if the state fails to address the situation.”
Tavakkoli served six years in the Majlis. He also ran twice for president, coming in distant second both times first in 1993 when Ali-Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani won re-election and second in 2001 when Mohammad Khatami won re-election.
