Cairo -
In the midst of a political movement, liberal forces are heading towards inaugurating a comprehensive current that includes parties and public figures affiliated with liberal thought.
To what extent is this current able to swim in the waters of stagnant politics, and is Egypt in the throes of a new opposition front?
And against whom?
According to two parties and liberal activists, there are serious steps taken in connection with the inauguration of the "Free Liberal Current" aimed at an influential presence in political life, similar to the leftist movement, but the Free Movement - according to the same sources - it is hoped that it will be distinguished from the latter in emphasizing the presentation of a climate of freedoms, rights and equality.
This proposal coincides with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's initiative calling for a political dialogue that "does not exclude anyone", and its first sessions are expected to start within days, amid criticism he faces in light of opposition talk related to management, organization and potential outcomes, in exchange for forces that rely on him to improve the political and human rights situation in the country. country.
While liberal party figures and leaders welcomed the formation of the Free Movement, observers went on to say that the chances of its success are dependent on not being linked to a circumstance or an urgent issue, but rather that it meets realistic needs, without looking at the machinations of other ideological trends such as the leftist movement, especially in the matter of representing the opposition in political dialogue.
free current
The announcement of the establishment of the Free Liberal Movement coincides with the readiness of the opposition parties to participate in the political dialogue to be launched within days.
Since Sisi launched the dialogue initiative, the Conservative Party, which launched the initiative to launch the Free Movement, has hosted a number of meetings with the opposition Civil Democratic Movement parties.
Recently, party leader Akmal Kartam invited symbols of liberal personalities to discuss the final declaration of the "Free Current". Among the most prominent of those invited were former Foreign Minister and former Secretary-General of the Arab League Amr Moussa, former Al-Ahly Club President Mahmoud Taher, and former Wafd Party leader Sayed Al-Badawi, In addition to the head of the Reform and Development Party, Muhammad Anwar al-Sadat, and others.
And about the latest inauguration of the Free Movement, the leader of the Conservative Party, Magdy Hamdan, explained that the movement is in the process of preparation, and the party is in the process of editing a document expressing it, through which the believers will join what was stated in it.
In statements to Al Jazeera Net, Hamdan said that the idea of the movement was accepted by everyone who belongs to liberalism, noting that the reasons for the establishment are many and multiple.
At the top of these reasons, according to Hamdan, is the absence of the liberal current in an actual and effective way in political life and its methodology, such as the leftist current, which laid the foundations for socialism and contributed to the legislative dealing with various issues with leftist orientations, but he moved away from offering a climate of freedoms, rights and equality.
As for his chances of success and the obstacles he may face, the party leader explained that the liberal parties are able to emerge quickly and unite under a comprehensive umbrella in light of the current political climate, in addition to the failure of the left to provide solutions that pave the way for political life.
He also expected that there would be popular and public cohesion with the current, as it would be concerned with matters that the citizen lacks, especially in crises of discrimination, freedoms and equality.
On the other hand, he ruled out any pressure from the state that might stand in the way of its launch.
Hamdan stressed that the liberal movement is a real political movement and an important step and uprising in political life, which seeks to bear fruit within a few days of the inauguration, and to lead liberalism with a comprehensive and real concept.
He ruled out a split of the liberal parties affiliated with the civil movement alliance after the inauguration of the Free Movement, pointing out that the movement addresses all civil parties with all its orientations, while the movement addresses liberalism in its concept and personalities.
#Akmal_Qurtam for the “Al-Mawqea” website: I contacted Amr Moussa, the former head of Al-Ahly, and others to establish the “Free Movement” and the “conservatives” who will present a candidate for the presidency in 2024
. twitter.com/yTcBu1qflW
— almawq3 – Website (@almawq3news) June 14, 2022
Opportunities and questions
In this context, former parliamentarian Tharwat Nafeh said that the current is a correct idea, hoping for its success, noting that it had already begun years ago to implement the idea of establishing the Egyptian liberal movement abroad, and there were enthusiasts for it at home and abroad, some participated in it and others were worried that it would appear their approval.
Speaking to Al-Jazeera Net, Nafeh supported the formation of the liberal movement, saying that he supports the formation of any real democratic front in the country, because liberalism is the most expressive of the Egyptian identity, but its problem is always in the organization, according to him.
When asked about the seriousness of the initiative in light of its concurrence with the political dialogue initiative, he said that it is premature to judge, because the idea of dialogue itself raises questions about whether it is serious or not.
He stressed by saying that Egypt needs the initiative of the liberal trend, as it is sandwiched between the hammer of a stream that claims civil and liberalism, which has nothing to do with it, and another stream that seeks authoritarianism, according to his speech.
For his part, and when asked about the chances of success in forming an inclusive movement of the liberal movement, Professor of Political Science at Cairo University, Hassan Nafaa, said that natural political parties do not arise in this artificial way, considering the fear of some that the Nasserist and leftist currents will lead the national dialogue platform, which prompted some to hasten to form this current.
Speaking to Al Jazeera Net, Nafaa added: What happens after the dialogue ends?
Nothing will be left, because the general atmosphere does not allow the exercise of political activity except for parties linked to the security services, as he described it.
Hisham Kassem: These are the details of the establishment of an inclusive liberal movement in Egypt https://t.co/411NPRBSuU
— Hisham Kassem (@hishamkassem) June 23, 2022
barnyard seeds
On the other hand, Professor of Political Sociology Ammar Ali Hassan saw the chances of success of the experiment great, provided that there is a vision, setting clear goals, saving money and struggling to take to the people in the street.
Speaking to Al Jazeera Net, Hassan said that Egypt has been suffering for a long time from clear political fragmentation, noting that every trend is represented by several parties that are fighting and do not integrate, and the political authority for decades has been keen on this restrictive pluralistic formalism that ultimately works in its favour.
He stressed the importance of any intellectual current gathering its followers to study common ideas in order to have a real social representation translated into a political form, stressing the importance of developing a coherent vision for this bloc so that it would not be a repetition of previous experiences.
As for the position of the political authority on the formation of the liberal trend, the Egyptian researcher said that democracy is taken away and not given, and whoever expects the authority to allow him something is delusional, and parties have the right to exist, communicate and represent people.
But Hassan warned by saying that if the rise of the liberal trend was dominated by the idea of conflict or intrigue, or the feeling that representatives of the left have an advantage in political dialogue, then it would become a bloc bearing the seeds of its annihilation.
He stressed that it is better for the liberal trend not to be linked to an emergency situation or a current issue, rather than to meet the realistic needs, pointing out that Egypt needs to pool efforts to establish a political life.
The talk of the Egyptian publisher Hisham Qassem about a trend towards establishing a “comprehensive liberal current” in Egypt. This is important and hopeful news. Egypt suffers, among other things, from the absence of a national liberal current, despite the presence of impersonators. Liberalism (nationalism) led Egypt to the greatest political renaissance Economic and cultural in its modern history from 1919 to 1952
— Jamal Sultan (@GamalSultan1) June 23, 2022