Mohammad Khatami's reforms

Mohammad Khatami was elected as the President of Iran in 1997 after having based his campaign on a reform program promising implementation of a democratic and more tolerant society, the rule of law and improvement of social rights.

After taking office, Khatami faced fierce opposition from his powerful opponents within the unelected institutions of the state which he had no legal power over, and this led to repeated clashes between his government and these institutions (including the Guardian Council, the state radio and television, the police, the armed forces, the judiciary, the prisons, etc.).

[1][2] According to a famous statement made by Khatami, his government survived an average of one national crisis every nine days during his term of office.

Highlights of important crises (related to his domestic reform plans) during his presidency include: In September 2002 Khatami presented the so-called twin bills to Parliament.

Khatami's desire to not make reforms out of the framework of Islamic Republic constitution, caused many people to question the outcome of his programs in areas such as implementation of a democratic society or women's rights.

[1] With regard to those that were disillusioned with the epic of 23 May 1997, Khatami denounced a group that caused violence in the Iran student riots, July 1999 because of "their envy" and that they "created obstacles to implementation of the will of the people" referring to his opponents within the political establishment of the country.

[5] A Paris-based analyst said,When Mr. Khatami joins him, and worse, imitates him (Ali Khamenei), he loses his own power base.

He wrote: There have been changes of such an extent in social, cultural and political relations that it is impossible to return to the period of before the reforms.

[6]President Khatami called for freedom of expression and asked people to publicly and openly criticize high-ranking politicians.

After many discussions the association concluded that: Khatami himself predominantly adopted a brave stance to promote liberal values in the face of great adversity.

[9] During his two terms in office, Khatami was able to introduce some reforms to the Iranian political system, however all in all, he is widely considered to have lost the power struggle with his opponents.

[3] Among his primary aims in politics were cases such as more personal freedom, social justice, privacy, tolerance, public participation in the interior affairs of state, consolidation of the rule of law, open and free press, establishment of political parties, transparency in accountability and end to corruption.