Analysis by PMOI/MEK
Iran, May 27, 2019 – Last Sunday’s public session of Iran’s Majlis (regime parliament) turned into yet another scene where Majlis members warned about the consequences of the economic misery and barely unsustainable living standards of ordinary Iranians.
Mohammad Kazemi, a Majlis member from Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s faction, warned the opposing faction, which is attacking Rouhani and his government for the crumbling economy, emphasizing that blaming the government will not advance their cause but will rather open the “political field” for “pro-regime change activists.”
“We should fear a tomorrow where, due to incompetence and bad timing, the people are disillusioned about the impact of committed movements and personalities, and pro-regime change activists will take the lead in the country’s politics,” he said.
Kazemi also acknowledged defeat in the regime’s endeavor to filter Telegram, a messaging app popular inside Iran and said the people are “insulting us” for the regime-imposed internet restrictions.
Sakineh Almasi, another Majlis member, referred to various examples of the elite’s theft and embezzlement in Asaluyeh, southern Iran, home to major segments of Iran’s gas and petrochemical industry.
“Asaluyeh is like a dairy cow and the petrochemicals being the wallet of the elite. Innocent locals in Asaluyeh die because of chemicals… so that the elite can have economic rent in figures reaching hundreds of trillions of rials (equal to billions of dollars). Such money at times ends up in the U.S. and Canada,” she said.
Almasi revealed that about 450 employees of the South Pars gas projects haven’t received their paychecks for months and warned about their continuous protests.
“In the current economic circumstances, it has been months since they are in this limbo, there is no way to pay them and their insurances haven’t also been paid. Their daily protest rallies in Asaluyeh have been repeatedly exploited by the opposition media outlets,” she added.
Hossein-Ali Haji-Deligani, a Majlis member from the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's conservative faction, attacked Rouhani in harsh remarks.
“[Rouhani] has delegated responsibilities to unqualified and lazy sybarites who worship their sons-in-law, children, relatives, and acquaintances. And money,” he added, saying this effectively is leading to the “loss of opportunities.”
He then addressed Rouhani personally and said: “Once again, I issue an ultimatum to you to stand with the people in practice and deed, and not only in words.”
Gholiallah Gholizadeh, another Majlis member, voiced a stern warning.
“The people can’t bear any more relentless economic pressures,” he explained.
Jabbar Kuchakinejad, another Majlis member close to Khamenei’s faction, attacked Rouhani for raising the issue of authority and placing the constitution under review.
“Instead of taking care of the people’s problems, Rouhani has raised the issue of his own authority. He raises the issue of a referendum and other mandates related to ministries so that we increase the government’s dimensions. This means, instead of taking care of the people’s fundamental needs, Rouhani has entered the sidelines.”
