The parliament, which shapes debate in homeland, had been closed for six weeks until April 7 as part of measures aiming to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. In speeches and interviews, Ghalibaf consistently stresses a vision of “strong government, efficient management, and Islamic justice.” He envisions Iran as a powerful, self-reliant nation that leverages science, technology, and youth energy to overcome sanctions and international isolation.
However, critics argue that while his rhetoric promises modernization and reform, his policies remain constrained by loyalty to the system’s ideological core — limiting the potential for genuine political liberalization. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf’s long career — from IRGC commander to Tehran mayor, and then to Speaker of Parliament — encapsulates the evolution of the Islamic Republic’s second generation of leadership. He symbolizes a political model that fuses military discipline, revolutionary ideology, and bureaucratic management — a model that continues to define governance system in the 21st century.
