Sociologist and former lawmaker in the seventh Majlis tells Rooz that “different opinions exist in the Principalist camp regarding the presidential elections, and it is not as if all have united around Mr. Ahmadinejad.” A former presidential candidate, Bayat argues that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s main shortcoming is in that some ministers do not implement his decisions. Read on for the conversation.
Rooz: Are conditions ripe for a female candidate to run in the upcoming presidential elections? In your opinion, would anyone from the female community run for the presidency?
Rafat Bayat (Bayat): Right now the factions are introducing their candidates, not very seriously. Each faction, because it has a male candidate, it either convinces females not to run or the females themselves prefer not to. I am not beholden to any faction and have reached an independent decision about presidency and management, and although I have not yet made a decision in this regard, the possibility is not out. In any case, if they prepare the conditions for women who would like to become candidates, the possibility for their candidacy is there.
Rooz: There is a line of argument that with the end of George Bush’s confrontational foreign policy, the era of Mr. Ahmadinejad too has ended, and that Iran needs a new president who would engage in a new discourse. What is your opinion about this?
Bayat: In any case, the changing and developing conditions of any society, including our society, can lead to new eras depending on the public’s determination and demand. There are others who think differently than Mr. Ahmadinejad, which shows that there are diverse opinions in society and in the Principalist camp, and not everyone is united around Mr. Ahmadinejad. Those who were and are committed to the revolution would not all vote for Mr. Ahmadinejad. Indeed, among independent Principalists, to which camp I belong, the viewpoint is that we need more serious and table management and stronger policymaking.
Rooz: What did Mr. Ahmadinejad want to accomplish in foreign policy that he could not?
Bayat: He was very interested in bringing Iran and America closer during his term and perhaps negotiations or normalization of relations take place under his watch. It seems as if the administration and himself insisted to resolve this issue within our own cultural framework, which they were unable to do.
Rooz: What was the reason?
Bayat: The first reason was and is a lack of transparency in America’s policies. Secondly, Mr. Ahmadinejad perhaps thought that with his preaching and positive attitude he would induce a cultural and ideological transformation in America. However, we believe that America has a very focused policy based on hidden macro-decisions. In our opinion, America will not be reformed through preaching and speech and unless it changes its macro-policies. Mr. Ahmadinejad has a different view of change in America. Our view is different.
