ID :
111572
Sun, 03/14/2010 - 14:20
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/111572
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A glimmer of hope in Egypt
TEHRAN, March 14 (MNA) -- A glimmer of hope is beginning to shine through in Egypt as Mohamed ElBaradei, an international figure who headed the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency for 12 years, has started a peaceful campaign to create a change in the country’s moribund political system.
ElBaradei has turned his attention to promoting electoral reforms and constitutional amendments that would allow a competitive presidential election next year.
The Egyptians, who are the heirs of one of the world’s most ancient civilizations, deserve a much better system, not a corruption-tainted system ruled by one man for nearly 30 years.
The Egyptian model of democracy is a mockery of the republican system. It is also an insult to the wisdom of Egyptians, particularly prominent figures and intellectuals like ElBaradei.
It would probably be better for President Hosni Mubarak to drop the word ‘democratic’ from his ruling National Democratic Party because, as ElBaradei has said, the country is a pseudo-democracy.
Mubarak was the only candidate in every presidential election from the time he took the helm in 1981 until 2005, when a multi-candidate election was held that was marred by fraud.
Even as recently as 2005 and 2007, the ruling NDP has rewritten the constitution to further limit the chances of opposition candidates.
By law, presidential candidates must secure the approval of 65 members of the People’s Assembly, 25 members of the consultative Shura Council, and 10 members of municipal councils. As an alternative, candidates can be nominated if they have been leading members of parties that have been active for a minimum of five years before the election.
The ruling system is making all these moves to help put Mubarak’s son, Gamal Mubarak, who currently heads the NDP’s policies committee, on the throne because the 81-year-old president is unlikely to seek another term.
In addition, to protect its grip on power and stifle opposition, the Mubarak government has never rescinded the state of emergency that was declared after Anwar Sadat was assassinated in 1981.
Egypt, which is the most important Arab state and the most important country in North Africa, should respect the will of its people. This country of about 80 million people is lagging behind its neighbors in terms of democracy and the standard of living. Even in certain African countries that recently had coups, there is more space for democracy.
Egypt also suffers from mismanagement, cronyism, and corruption, and this has pushed a significant proportion of the population into poverty. The UN says 23 percent of the Egyptian population lives below the poverty line. As ElBaradei says, the Egyptian “people need to understand the linkage between the bread they eat and democracy.”
Now some rays of hope have started to shine through as ElBaradei has started an intellectual campaign for a change in Egypt. ElBaradei has linked his candidacy in next year’s presidential election to an amendment to the election law to allow independents to run. However, even if he is prevented from running for president, the movement that he has started, with the help of other groups, is very promising and will eventually bring democracy to Egypt.
(By M.A. Saki)
ElBaradei has turned his attention to promoting electoral reforms and constitutional amendments that would allow a competitive presidential election next year.
The Egyptians, who are the heirs of one of the world’s most ancient civilizations, deserve a much better system, not a corruption-tainted system ruled by one man for nearly 30 years.
The Egyptian model of democracy is a mockery of the republican system. It is also an insult to the wisdom of Egyptians, particularly prominent figures and intellectuals like ElBaradei.
It would probably be better for President Hosni Mubarak to drop the word ‘democratic’ from his ruling National Democratic Party because, as ElBaradei has said, the country is a pseudo-democracy.
Mubarak was the only candidate in every presidential election from the time he took the helm in 1981 until 2005, when a multi-candidate election was held that was marred by fraud.
Even as recently as 2005 and 2007, the ruling NDP has rewritten the constitution to further limit the chances of opposition candidates.
By law, presidential candidates must secure the approval of 65 members of the People’s Assembly, 25 members of the consultative Shura Council, and 10 members of municipal councils. As an alternative, candidates can be nominated if they have been leading members of parties that have been active for a minimum of five years before the election.
The ruling system is making all these moves to help put Mubarak’s son, Gamal Mubarak, who currently heads the NDP’s policies committee, on the throne because the 81-year-old president is unlikely to seek another term.
In addition, to protect its grip on power and stifle opposition, the Mubarak government has never rescinded the state of emergency that was declared after Anwar Sadat was assassinated in 1981.
Egypt, which is the most important Arab state and the most important country in North Africa, should respect the will of its people. This country of about 80 million people is lagging behind its neighbors in terms of democracy and the standard of living. Even in certain African countries that recently had coups, there is more space for democracy.
Egypt also suffers from mismanagement, cronyism, and corruption, and this has pushed a significant proportion of the population into poverty. The UN says 23 percent of the Egyptian population lives below the poverty line. As ElBaradei says, the Egyptian “people need to understand the linkage between the bread they eat and democracy.”
Now some rays of hope have started to shine through as ElBaradei has started an intellectual campaign for a change in Egypt. ElBaradei has linked his candidacy in next year’s presidential election to an amendment to the election law to allow independents to run. However, even if he is prevented from running for president, the movement that he has started, with the help of other groups, is very promising and will eventually bring democracy to Egypt.
(By M.A. Saki)
