Egyptian Bloc

The Egyptian Block (Arabic الكتلة المصرية al - kutla al - miṣriyya ) was a party alliance in Egypt.

It was founded by a number of liberal, social democratic and left -wing political parties and movements, as well as from the traditional Islamic Sufi Liberation Party, to prevent the Muslim Brotherhood and its political arm, the Freedom and Justice Party, on the assumption of power by the parliamentary election in 2011 /2012.

In the political spectrum of the center-left block was positioned and oriented predominantly liberal.

Establishment

The 15 groups of the Egyptian block shared the common vision of Egypt as a civil democratic state, and feared in the event of an Islamist electoral victory, that the Constitution of Egypt can be changed into an Islamic republic.

The establishment of the coalition was publicly announced in Cairo on 15 August 2011. The purpose of the meeting is to establish a common list of candidates for the parliamentary election, raise funds and to organize joint campaigns. The Alliance supported the proposal of a constitutional decree of Prime Minister Essam Sharaf, which could prevent the Islamists to unilaterally amend the Constitution or to draw up a new constitution - even in the event of a parliamentary majority. The establishment of the Egyptian block was considered a " last attempt " of liberal and secular camp, with the projection of the Muslim Brotherhood in the post-revolutionary political landscape of Egypt, in terms of organizational structure, Profile, and public attention, zuzurechtzukommen.

Program

The political ambitions of the block were the establishment of Egypt as a modern and civil state in which science plays an important role, and the creation of equality and social justice in the country. The objectives of the alliance also included a decent life for the poor with a, including education, health care and adequate housing. The group advocated a pluralist multi-party democracy and leaned discrimination on grounds of religion, race or gender.

Development

Several leading members of the long-term national-liberal New Wafd Party also joined the block, even though the party has announced to compete in the elections together with the Islamist Freedom and Justice Party.

In late October 2011 the party renounced Socialist People's Alliance of the Egyptian block, as they claimed that the block contains remnants of the old regime, and founded the alliance " The Revolution Continues ". The Egyptian Socialist Party followed the example.

In November 2011, only the party of the Free Egyptians, the Egyptian Social Democratic Party and the Tadschammu remained as part of the alliance.

Member organizations

Parties and organizations that are part of the block were last:

  • Egypt liberal party
  • Egyptian Communist Party
  • Democratic Front Party
  • The Awareness Party
  • Sufi Liberation Party
  • Socialist People's Alliance ( withdrawn in October )
  • Socialist Party of Egypt (withdrawn in October)
  • National Association for Change
  • The National Council
  • Farmers Union
  • People's Workers Union

Election results

In the parliamentary elections of 2011 and 2012, the Egyptian block received 2,402,238 of a total of 27,065,135 valid votes, just under 8.9% of the total votes. Thus, the Egyptian block received 34 seats of a total of 332 in the Egyptian parliament. The 33 seats were divided between the member parties as follows:

  • Egyptian Social Democratic Party: 16 seats
  • The Free Egyptians Party: 15 seats
  • National Progressive Unionist Party -: 3 seats

Additionally, won a candidate who belongs to the party of the Free Egyptians, one of 168 seats for independent candidates. Thus, the Egyptian bloc won 34 seats out of 508 (6.8 %) in the Egyptian People's Assembly and became the fourth largest party in Parliament.

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