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Constitutionalist Party of Iran

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Constitutionalist Party of Iran – Liberal Democrat
حزب مشروطه ایران–لیبرال دموکرات
AbbreviationCPI
FounderDariush Homayoun
Founded1994
HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
IdeologyConstitutional monarchism, Liberalism
Political positionCentre-right
National affiliationNational Council of Iran
Website
irancpi.net

Constitutionalist Party of Iran – Liberal Democrat (حزب مشروطه ایران–لیبرال دموکرات, Hezb-e Mashruteh-ye Iran–Liberal Democrat) is an Iranian monarchist political party in exile. It was founded in 1994 by exiled supporters of the former Pahlavi dynasty, notably former minister Dariush Homayoun, with the aim of restoring a constitutional monarchy in Iran.[1][2] The party condemns the 1979 Islamic Revolution and advocates the return of the monarchy under Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi in a liberal democratic system.[3]

Fouad Pashaie (also spelled Foad Pashai) has served as Secretary-General of the CPI since the mid-2000s, after Homayoun’s tenure.[4] The party is headquartered in Los Angeles and operates primarily through the Iranian diaspora.

History

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Organizational structure of the Constitutionalist Party of Iran (Liberal Democrat)

The Constitutionalist Party of Iran traces its roots to the early 1990s Persian monarchist movement in exile. After two years of preparatory work by a founding committee, the party was formally established at a conference on 9–10 April 1994 in Cologne, Germany, under the name "Organization of Iranian Constitutionalists" (Sazman-e Mashruteh Khahan-e Iran).[5] The party’s co-founder and first leader was Dariush Homayoun, a former minister of information during the reign of Mohammad Reza Shah.[6]

Homayoun guided the CPI's development toward a platform of constitutional monarchy combined with secular liberal democracy. In 2004, he stepped aside from active leadership, with Fouad Pashaie elected as Secretary-General.[7] Homayoun remained an influential elder figure until his death in 2011.[8]

In 2013, the party joined the umbrella organization the National Council of Iran, initiated by Reza Pahlavi to unify opposition groups for democratic change.[9][10]

In 2019, Secretary-General Haideh Tavackoli reaffirmed the party’s commitment to a peaceful democratic transition at the CPI’s annual conference.[11] By 2020, Fouad Pashaie returned as Secretary-General.[12]

Ideology and platform

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The CPI describes itself as a constitutional monarchist and liberal democratic organization.[13][14] It advocates for the restoration of a constitutional monarchy alongside democratic governance, human rights, secularism, and the rule of law.[3]

The party draws historical inspiration from the 1906 Persian Constitutional Revolution and modernization efforts during the Pahlavi era.[15]

Activities and alliances

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Operating among the Iranian diaspora, the CPI organizes advocacy campaigns, political forums, and international media engagements.[16]

In 2022, the CPI was among twelve Iranian opposition organizations that signed a joint statement endorsing Reza Pahlavi and calling for national unity.[17]

Within Iran, the party is banned, and public association with it can result in persecution.[18][19] The CPI also co-authored an open letter to U.S. President Joe Biden in 2020, urging support for Iran’s democratic movement.[20]

References

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  1. ^ Mandana Ashoury (26 June 2005). "Iran's Election Results Worry L.A. Emigres". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  2. ^ "داریوش همایون درگذشت" (in Persian). Voice of America (Persian). 29 January 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  3. ^ a b Mandana Ashoury (26 June 2005). "Iran's Election Results Worry L.A. Emigres". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  4. ^ Alexandra Zavis (21 July 2009). "U.S. Iranians seek a greater voice". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  5. ^ "بیستمین سالروز بنیانگذاری حزب مشروطه ايران (ليبرال دمکرات) – اعلامیه" (in Persian). Iranian Secular Democratic Movement. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  6. ^ "Former Iranian Minister Honored – Daryoush Homayoun turns 80". Iranian.com. 2 January 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  7. ^ Ali Akbar Dareini (27 June 2005). "Monarchists see hope in hard-liner's win in Iran". Associated Press. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  8. ^ "Veteran Iranian politician Daryoush Homayoun dies in exile". Radio Farda. 29 January 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  9. ^ Olivia Ward (1 June 2013). "Reza Pahlavi, son of Shah, heads pro-democracy group to end Iran's Islamic regime". Toronto Star. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  10. ^ Kenneth Katzman (2 June 2017). Iran: Politics, Human Rights, and U.S. Policy (PDF) (Report). Congressional Research Service. p. 27.
  11. ^ Asharq Al-Awsat (30 September 2019). "Iranian Opposition Launches 'Transitional Phase' to Overcome Regime". Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  12. ^ "اعضای شورای مرکزی (Central Council Members) – حزب مشروطه ایران" (in Persian). Constitutionalist Party of Iran. 10 February 2018. Archived from the original on 20 September 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  13. ^ Mehran Tamadonfar (2015). Islamic Law and Governance in Contemporary Iran. Lexington Books. p. 158. ISBN 9781498507578.
  14. ^ Masoud Kazemzadeh (2008). Iran Today: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Islamic Republic (Vol. 1). Greenwood Press. pp. 363–364. ISBN 9780313341632.
  15. ^ "Manifesto of the Constitutionalist Party of Iran (Liberal Democrat)". CPI Official Website. 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  16. ^ "Persian TV Highlights: Human Rights in Iran Discussed". VOA News. 17 December 2007. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  17. ^ "حمایت ۱۲ تشکل سیاسی از شاهزاده رضا پهلوی و تاکید بر همبستگی ملی". Independent Persian (in Persian). 22 June 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  18. ^ Majid Sharifi (2013). Imagining Iran: The Tragedy of Subaltern Nationalism. Lexington Books. p. 304. ISBN 9780739179451.
  19. ^ Karin Zeitvogel (21 June 2009). "Exiles struggle to make voices heard in Iran unrest". Agence France-Presse. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  20. ^ "Iranian Americans for Liberty and Constitutionalist Party of Iran Pen Open Letter to Joe Biden" (Press release). 15 October 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
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