We Spoke to Some Iranians About Why They Voted for Rouhani

Tens of thousands of people celebrated on the streets of Iran over the weekend as reformist candidate, Hassan Rouhani, was elected as the Islamic Republic’s new president in a landslide victory. Largely decided by young Iranians desperate for social change; this year’s surprise poll was in stark contrast to the country’s 2009 elections. And by stark contrast, we mean the presidential race was probably not rigged this time around, and hundreds of people have thankfully so far not died protesting its results.

Analysts in countries across the world are now scratching their heads over the election’s implications. Hardliners say it’ll be business as usual for Iran; a pseudo-democratic dictatorship headed up by Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Critics say its new president is ultimately a puppet for Khamenei’s Revolutionary Guard, which has final dibs on key decisions, including military operations, foreign affairs, and nuclear weapons. (His holiness actually decided who could run for president to begin with.)

Others are a bit more optimistic. “My martyr brother took your vote back,” is one slogan being shouted by the crowds, in reference to how far Iran has come since the 2009 election massacre. Some analysts are tentatively predicting that Rouhani–a moderate cleric with ties to both to the ruling church and reformists–signals a more diplomatic era. Talks with arch nemesis the US are now back on the cards, after years of international sanctions that have crippled Iran’s economy and its educated (and largely pro-democracy) middle class.

We spoke to a bunch of Iranians, some in Australia and in Iran, to find out why so many people are ecstatically celebrating Rouhani’s election victory. All names have been changed, because even emigrated Iranians fear the wrath of their Supreme Leader (for obvious reasons). Our local journalist is also staying anonymous, because they soon want to travel to Iran but don’t want to join the 54 journalists currently incarcerated in Iran’s political prisons.

Fatemeh, 26, female, Melbourne

VICE: Why did you vote for Rouhani?
It was a difficult decision to even vote. We felt felt betrayed and cheated by the last election. In the end, I decided that democracy is a process. You need to fight for it. I chose Rouhani because he’s a good negotiator that’s strong and influential.

What did you think about the election’s fairness, say compared to that monumental fuckup in 2009?
A lot of people are joking that this time they actually counted the votes! The government was under a lot of pressure this time. The huge amount of [voting] participation showed them that we’re still here, we still want our freedom, and we expect them to count our votes. So we’ve been having a great night and day celebrating.

Why do you reckon the country got behind Rouhani?
Well, firstly people were really, really tired of Ahmadinejad. The important thing about Rouhani is that he has the support of many [Islamic] clerics and religious people, but also reformists, moderates, and the younger population.

What are you hoping for now? Do you think Rouhani can change anything?
The most important thing we’re hoping for is economic change. The country’s bazaars and markets have been under so much pressure from international sanctions. Rouhani is a good negotiator, so we’re hopeful for more diplomacy. He does have power. The Supreme Leader does have a lot of control [but] it’s been quite fragmented in recent years.

What are your thoughts on the Supreme Leader?
Well… I think most people who voted for Rouhani are anti-Supreme Leader. We are against the very idea of him.

Vahid, 23, male, Mashad

Why did you vote for Rouhani?
At first I wanted to vote for Aref, because he’s a real reformist, but he withdrew to support Rouhani (just a week before the election). This meant that Rouhani became the one and only choice for reform.

So you weren’t really given a choice. Do you think the election was fair?
An election is never fair, neither here in Iran or anywhere else! But realistically, radical reformists were not even allowed to become candidates, Khatami [Iran’s reformist president between 1997 and 2005] was not allowed to register, and Hashemi was disqualified. So Rouhani was the only candidate for change.

Were you surprised that he won?
I was surprised. I thought, at best, he would get to the second round with Ghalibaf in first place. Of course, I’m happy that he won! He was our last hope and has the endorsement of Khatami and Hashemi. He has to realise the reformists’ demands.

So you reckon Iranians will now get more freedoms?
Yes, definitely, though they won’t be as free as during the time of Khatami. Rouhani is not a puppet, but all the other organisations, including parliament, are in the hands of the opposite wing. But at least the current situation won’t get any worse.

Mojan, 41, female, Melbourne

Why are your celebrating Rouhani’s win?
Rouhani is not even close to my ideal president, but there’s a big difference between bad and worse in Iran, especially when you look at the last eight years of extreme political, economical, and cultural oppression. Many people say he’ll just support the existing regime but I’m optimistic.

Were you surprised that he won?
To be honest, yes. You never can trust this government. So everybody is happy! Rouhani’s victory is not so much a win for the president, but a win for our vote. People know today that they have some element of power despite our oppressive regime.

The last eight years has been pretty shit for Iran. Are things going to get better?
Well, Rouhani has promised change, but then so did Obama! [laughs] We know Rouhani doesn’t have so much power. He’s just a president. He’s not superman! But we still hope he may bring some change, especially about the sanctions and unemployment.

Do you see this as a softening of the regime or the Supreme Leader?
Definitely. The fact that Rouhani was even given as an option, shows the regime has been forced to offer some change. They’re getting scared. However, the Supreme Leader not assessing certain candidates, shows he still wants to be the ultimate power.

What’s it like watching the Iranian election coverage on Australian TV?
The western media always wants to show the harsh face of Iranians. This is just not true. It does make me happy that the media is now showing the protests and celebrations. Iranians are not all about their government.

Ashkan, 17, male, student, Mashad

If you could have voted, who would you have picked?
I wouldn't have voted. Voting just gives legitimacy to the Iranian regime and more propaganda to feed to the West. I also didn’t like any of the candidates.

What didn’t you like about the candidates?
Iranian elections, like with so many other countries including the US, always includes a limited number of parties. There is little voting freedom. We could only choose between fundamentalists or reformists, but nobody else like the greens or socialists were allowed.

So why are you happy that Rouhani won?
His victory is good in some ways. Rouhani is a good nuclear power negotiator so maybe he can talk constructively with the West. He also had a moderate approach to cultural freedom so maybe we’ll see some changes. But the President is only one part of our complicated political system and he has limited powers. The Supreme Leader has the last say.

Do you reckon it’ll be business as usual under Rouhani?
I don’t think there’ll be a significant change. That said, we did see a big difference when Khatami (Iran’s reformist president between 1997 and 2005) was in power.

Would you dance on the grave of the Islamist regime?
I can see the positive aspects of the past 34 years, like economic and political independence, compared to the previous regime. This is undeniable. But at the end of the day, this regime is a dictatorship and should be replaced with a free republic.

For more stories from Iran:

Inside Iranian Cinema

Wedded Blis, Iranian Style

I Spoke to a Rejected Iranian Presidential Candidate