November 08, 2011
The Nasserist Party is more important for what it represents in the past history of Egypt than for its future role. Led by aging politicians, it has been struggling with a generational divide in its ranks and has been losing support. It belongs to the Democratic Alliance.
The Nasserist Party was formally licensed in 1992 under the leadership of Diaeddin Daoud after a decade-long legal battle with the Political Parties Committee and other government institutions. The Nasserist Party endorses Arab nationalism, socialism, and other ideals associated with the 1952 revolution. The party has modeled itself after Nasser’s Arab Socialist Union and still adheres to key documents that emerged from the nationalist revolution, including the National Covenant and the 30 March Program of 1968. The party’s aging chairman, Daoud, passed away on April 6, 2011 after dominating the party for nearly two decades and refusing to relinquish his leadership position despite challenges from younger party members who blamed him for the party’s stagnation. On April 23, 2011, Sameh Ashour, former First Vice President of the party, was elected president of the Party during a party conference. At the same conference, Ahmed Hussein, the party’s secretary general was removed from his position and his party membership was revoked after accusations of complicity with the Mubarak regime.
Platform:
Political Issues:
- Maintaining and expanding upon the social and political achievements brought about by the 1952 revolution
Socio-economic Issues:
- Reversing the free-market reforms implemented under President Hosni Mubarak’s rule and restoring an economic system based on socialist principles
- Expanding the public sector under the supervision of a strong, regulatory state
- Providing fully subsidized healthcare to all citizens
- Promoting educational reform and better working conditions for teachers
- Supporting the full integration of women in all areas of public life
- Increasing investment in scientific research
Foreign Policy Issues:
- Resolving the Palestinian question through the expulsion of occupying forces from all Arab lands.
- Opposing normalization of relations with Israel.
Parliamentary Representation:
People’s Assembly Elections
2010: 0 seats
2005: 1 seat
2000: 3 seats (in addition to 4 or 5 independents who allied with it)
1995: 1 seat
Shura Council Elections
2010: 1 seat
Major Party Figures:
Sameh Ashour: President
Mohammed Abu al-‘Ala: Vice President
Nasser abu Tahoun: Editor in chief of the party’s newspaper, al-Araby
Websites:
http://www.al-3araby.com/ (newspaper)
http://tinyurl.com/3cxcbc9 (Facebook)
From Guide to Egypt’s Transition, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: http://egyptelections.carnegieendowment.org/2011/09/22/al-dimqurati-al-arabi-al-nasseri-democratic-arab-nasserite-party
The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing cooperation between nations and promoting active international engagement by the United States. Founded in 1910, its work is nonpartisan and dedicated to achieving practical results.