Presidential Bids: A Challenger from the Right
Tavakoli ran for president twice—once in 1993, losing to Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, and again in 1997, when Mohammad Khatami swept to victory. Both times, Tavakoli came in second place, and both times he served as the main conservative challenger.
In 1993, despite widespread support for Hashemi Rafsanjani among conservatives, Tavakoli boldly criticized the administration’s economic liberalization and privatization policies. He warned that they would deepen inequality and enrich a corrupt elite—concerns echoed in later decades.
In 1997, at a time when most conservatives refrained from fielding strong candidates, Tavakoli stood alone as Khatami’s principal challenger, openly questioning the reformist camp’s economic direction. Though he lost by a wide margin, he emerged with credibility for standing on principle.
Ninth Presidential Election: Withdrawal and Integrity
In the ninth presidential election (2005), Tavakoli initially entered the race but later withdrew in favor of Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. He did so based on a prearranged pact among conservative candidates: the one ahead in the polls would be supported by the others. Ironically, Tavakoli was the only one who honored the agreement.
When Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won the presidency, Tavakoli proposed three key conservative figures to join his cabinet. Ahmadinejad initially agreed, but later rejected them, allegedly stating, “I do not want generals in the cabinet.” Tavakoli replied curtly: “The government is a place for generals who are coordinated by a senior general.” His early disenchantment with Ahmadinejad foretold later conservative discontent with the president’s populist style.