Experts voice concerns over Pezeshkian administration’s governance

Increasing concerns have emerged over the governance of President Massoud Pezeshkian’s administration, particularly in areas such as media freedom, internet access, and gender equality in Iran. Critics warn that the government’s approach to these issues may be exacerbating societal inequalities.

In a recent commentary published in *Etemad* newspaper, Abbas Abdi, a prominent columnist and member of the broader reformist camp, expressed alarm over the growing disparities under Pezeshkian’s leadership. Abdi emphasized that addressing these inequalities is the most pressing challenge for the new administration, cautioning that failure to do so could destabilize society.

“Addressing inequality is the greatest challenge facing the Pezeshkian administration,” Abdi wrote. He further warned that “failing to tackle these disparities could push society into a dangerous imbalance.”

Although Abdi has expressed sympathy towards Pezeshkian and his reformist inclinations, he felt compelled to issue a warning during the president’s political honeymoon period. Abdi noted that while Pezeshkian sometimes adopts reformist rhetoric, his actions often align with conservative principles, particularly in deference to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Abdi highlighted that these inequalities are manifest in various sectors, including the economy, regional development, water supply, environmental management, budget allocation, employment, and retirement. He cautioned that if these issues remain unaddressed, they could strain the government’s relationship with the public and deepen social and political divisions.

“The inequalities are becoming increasingly severe,” Abdi stated, adding that the government’s frequent mismanagement is fueling social and political tensions. He pointed out that while many of these problems have straightforward solutions, mishandling them could lead to a broader crisis.

Abdi also underscored the necessity of a coordinated effort across all branches of government to address these issues, noting that they cannot be resolved in isolation. He attributed some of the blame to previous administrations, including that of former President Ebrahim Raisi, for their role in exacerbating these challenges. According to Abdi, Raisi’s Minister of Economy, Ehsan Khandouzi, indicated that concerns raised by ministers were often ignored.

“The government is duty-bound to do its utmost to resolve these problems and restore the people’s trust,” Abdi asserted.

In a related development, Iranian entrepreneur Mohammad Bahrainian penned an open letter to President Pezeshkian, urging the government not to dash the people’s hopes.

“Pezeshkian’s presidential candidacy and his promise to improve the country’s situation by appointing experts to key positions gave Iranians a renewed sense of hope,” Bahrainian wrote. “However, the plans presented by the new government’s economic ministers show no sign of change or a path out of the country’s problems.”

Bahrainian criticized the government’s rhetoric, stating, “What we’ve heard so far is merely a repetition of the same flowery, run-of-the-mill statements with no sign of innovation on the horizon. We’ve been hearing these statements for decades, yet nothing has changed.”

He advised that Pezeshkian’s ministers should be supported by teams of experts in their respective fields to ensure decisions are carefully scrutinized before implementation. Bahrainian emphasized that these experts should be recognized for their integrity and expertise, with a proven track record free of corruption.

This advice follows a series of questionable appointments by the new administration, which have raised concerns about the alignment between individuals’ qualifications and their assigned roles.

The rising concerns among experts regarding the Pezeshkian government’s approach to governance have sparked alarm. Observers warn that if these issues are not addressed promptly, Iran’s government could face significant challenges in the near future.