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Al-Adl is a new party seeking to carve for itself a centrist position and a role as a bridge between the Islamist-dominated Democratic Alliance and Islamist Alliance, and the liberal-dominated Egypt Bloc. It is seeking to create a “Third Way” coalition which is yet to be announced. So far, the Egyptian Current Party and al-Wasat were the only other parties that have shown interest in joining the Third Way Coalition, and neither had joined by the candidate registration deadline on October 24th. The party has been critical of the polarization of politics and of the participation in elections of former members of the National Democratic Party.
Major Party Figures:
Mostafa Naggar: Founder and member of executive committee
Mohammed Gabar: Founder and member of executive committee
Ahmed Shoukri: Founder and member of executive committee
Abdel Muniem Imam: Founder and member of executive committee
Hisham Akram: Founder and member of executive committee
Background:
Launched in June 2011 by members of different youth movements that participated in the 2011 uprising, including Kefaya and the April 6 Youth Movement, al-Adl has rejected ideological labels. It stresses that love for Egypt should override rigid ideological interests. Mostafa Naggar, a prominent blogger and founding member of the party, has insisted that the next election not be fought on competitive and ideological grounds but based upon cooperation between the parties to realize the goals of the uprising and prevent the resurgence of former members of the ruling National Democratic Party. The party has tried to take a centrist position between Islamists and liberals, arguing for a civil state but noting that there is no separation of religion from the state in Islam.
Party Platform:
Political Issues:
- Affirming that people are the source of political power
- Supporting the separation of powers, free elections, and the peaceful transfer of power
- Supporting equal citizenship for all Egyptians without discrimination based on religion, race, color, geographic location, or income level
- Affirming that all Egyptians can occupy any political position without exceptions
- Respecting freedom of religious belief and practice and the freedom of expression
- Respecting human rights as stipulated by divine laws and international conventions
- Upholding the rule of law and the principles of accountability and transparency
- Promoting the concept of decentralization and the importance of a leadership role for the provinces in administration, security, development, and investment
Socioeconomic Issues:
- Supporting a free economy based upon social justice, equal opportunity, and balanced growth for all Egyptians
- Advocating an economic system based in strong institutions subject to standards of transparency and accountability, and free from corruption and monopolies
- Exploiting all of Egypt’s land from the western desert to to the Sinai for economic development but without harming the environment
- Relying on new and renewable energy sources
Foreign Policy Issues:
- Advocating a foreign policy governed by the values of justice, freedom, and human rights
- Rejecting the imposition of values by force
- Supporting cooperation and integration and exchange of expertise based on mutual respect for state sovereignty and culture
- Respecting international law, covenants and conventions, and international agreements, particularly on the Palestinian issue
- Affirming the right of the Palestinian people to determine their own destiny and build their state with Jerusalem as its capital
- Rejecting normalization with Israel
- Establishing close relations with all Arab states
- Calling for strong relationships with various powers, including Turkey and Iran, to build a new Middle East
- Establishing strong relations with the various emerging powers, such as Brazil, India, and Malaysia
Websites:
http://www.eladl.org
http://www.facebook.com/eladlparty?ref=ts (Facebook)
