The Old Guerrilla at the Last Station
The Old Guerrilla at the Last Station: According to Iran Gate, the recent news of Behzad Nabavi’s resignation has been reflected on social media. ILNA was the first news agency to report Behzad Nabavi’s resignation. Like other politicians, Behzad Nabavi had a career full of many ups and downs, which can be analyzed in two parts: the time before the victory of the revolution and the days of struggle, and the period after the revolution and his time in office. Leading the Reform Front was Nabavi’s last station of activism.
In response to reporters’ questions about his stepping down from the leadership of the Reform Front, Nabavi said, ‘My two-year term as the head of the Reform Front has ended, and I no longer hold any position.’ Nabavi also mentioned that continuing cooperation within the Reform Front is not possible due to physical problems and old age.
What Was Behind the Scenes
However, some sources believe that the radical behaviors of the far-left factions of the reformists are the main reason for the Old Guerrilla’s resignation from the leadership of the Reform Front. Another section attributes it to the maximalist demands of some individuals and currents within the front.
But regardless of the angle from which we analyze the issue, one undeniable reality is Behzad Nabavi’s significant role in the events and occurrences of revolutionary history. Without judging his value, Nabavi has been influential from the early days of the revolution and the formation of governing structures and institutions, through to the arrival of the second of Khordad and the birth of reformism, and subsequently, Hassan Rouhani’s ascent to the presidency.
Behzad Nabavi’s Background
In his resume, roles such as the Deputy Prime Minister under Mohammad Ali Rajai, Mahdavi Kani, and Mir Hossein Mousavi, as well as the Vice Presidency of the Sixth Parliament, can be seen. However, during the interregnum of reforms, Nabavi played the role of an effective activist and consistently insisted on legality and being faithful to the constitution for this model of activism.
Yet, like many of his reformist peers, Nabavi was also arrested after the 2009 election events and faced a heavy sentence of six years in prison. However, his last highly impactful and even anger-inducing reaction relates to this year’s events and the protests of the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ movement, where Nabavi declared that despite the unfavorable conditions for continuing political activity, the reformist movement must still continue. For instance, in the case of Mahsa Amini, the front issued a statement on the first day and wrote a letter to the head of the judiciary, but we certainly cannot align with street protesters who chant overthrowing slogans.
These statements faced serious criticism on social media, and some interpreted them as Nabavi moving away from the demands of the youth. Nevertheless, Behzad Nabavi continued to emphasize his preferred activism under the constitution and believes that if reformist activism is possible, one should not move towards radical behaviors. The Old Guerrilla’s resignation from reforms will mark a new chapter in Behzad Nabavi’s political life. However, some political analysts believe this withdrawal is a reaction to the country’s political atmosphere. In the 2010s and afterwards, he also announced that he no longer wishes to be called the Old Guerrilla.
We Don’t Have Political Retirement
Morteza Alviri, a reformist politician and former head of the Supreme Council of Provinces, told the media regarding Behzad Nabavi’s resignation, ‘I am not aware of the details of Mr. Nabavi’s resignation, but I know that he had wanted to step down from his responsibilities in the Reform Front for some time. There have been various reasons for this resignation request, which no one can explain better than himself. However, Behzad Nabavi is one of the revolutionary figures whose integrity and uncontroversial nature are clear to everyone.’
He pointed out that Behzad Nabavi’s presence is valuable wherever it may be, saying, ‘Therefore, whether in the Reform Front and party activities or in another position, he is needed as a steadfast and skilled figure for the country to overcome upcoming crises.’
In response to journalists’ questions about the void left by the absence of seasoned political figures, Alviri said, ‘Individuals like Behzad Nabavi never retire from political activities. Pursuing the people’s demands is ingrained in their very being. I am sure that Mr. Nabavi will strive for freedom, justice, and resolving the country’s problems as long as he breathes.’
I never believe that by resigning from a specific responsibility, he would forget his important responsibilities in the realm of political activism. He noted that a political activist might feel at a certain time that they cannot play their intended role in a specific organization or assembly. It is natural for such an individual to move from one position to another and continue pursuing the people’s demands. I do not see the country’s situation as one where figures like Nabavi would stay away from political activism. I believe both the people and the country need figures like Nabavi, and there should be opportunities to utilize the high capacities of such figures to pave the way for overcoming challenges.
Resignation or End of Term
Ali Bagheri, a member of the presidium of the Reform Front, responded to the news of Nabavi’s resignation by saying, ‘Mr. Nabavi has not resigned. His two-year term has ended. According to the Reform Front’s charter, the individual members of the front must be re-elected at the end of their two-year term.’ He added, ‘This re-election is a process that I think will be completed by the end of the current year.’
Bagheri continued, ‘The presidium election is a subsequent discussion compared to the election of the 15 individual members of the Reform Front. After completing the process to determine the 15 individual members, they will hold a general assembly with representatives of the parties and organizations of the Reform Front, and a new presidium of the Reform Front will be elected.’ He reiterated that Mr. Nabavi has not resigned, and whether he wants to stay or not is still unknown. We do not have a definitive opinion from him about not being present, and these matters will become clear in the future.