"Change" has become the word most frequently repeated in political discourse, but talk is one thing and implementation another. Any process of change goes through two main stages--the first involving the mobilization of people to introduce change, and the second transforming the dream of change into a living reality through specific plans and time frames. I believe that the seminar held at the Journalists Syndicate on Thursday, 4 February, 2010 under the title "The Future of Democracy in Egypt" clearly demonstrates that the state of political mobility that started months ago is about to conclude its first phase. The second stage might unfold soon, where change becomes a fact on the ground. I pointed out before that Egypt is in urgent need of a road map outlining the ways to establish a comprehensive democratic system. I also called on the Egyptian intellectual and political elites to take part in the Journalists Syndicate's seminar. I believe the success of that seminar exceeded expectations, in terms of the number of attendees, their affiliations, the spirit that dominated the meeting, and even the positions expressed. The number of attendees was reminiscent of the golden days of the Journalists Syndicate back in the 1970s. There were as many people standing in the audience as there were seated participants, perhaps even more. Different intellectual and political thinkers were present or at least represented. Attending the seminar were university professors, journalists, MPs, and several political leaders from most of the parties, political powers and new social movements, including the ruling party. The speeches delivered at the seminar made it plain as day that the ruling party and the other political powers differ enormously on the issues of political reform and democracy. It is true that opposition powers differ among themselves too, but they do agree on the following: 1- Parties cannot alone bring about the desired change. Therefore, all powers must work together to end the ruling party's monopoly on power. Such a goal requires political and ideological concessions. 2- Ballot boxes are the only means to resolve disputes. The holding of free and fair elections will determine the genuine weight of competing political powers and each one's share in decision-making. 3- The impossibility of carrying out free and fair elections in light of the current political conditions. Article 76 of the Constitution should be amended to permit the nomination of independent candidates according to objective, and not personal, criteria, as well as Article 77 to avoid a monopoly of power and Article 88 to allow comprehensive judicial supervision of the elections. 4- The need for a transitional stage following the upcoming legislative and presidential elections to get the Egyptian house in order and pave the way for a genuine democratic regime approved by everyone. This can be achieved through: a- Annulling all freedom-restricting laws, particularly those related to the establishment of parties and non-governmental organizations and their ability to carry out their activities freely. b- Defusing political, social and sectarian tensions. c- Forming a body that represents all political powers and movements to put in place a new, permanent constitution that upholds the democratic values of the devolution of authority, separation of powers, transparency and accountability. 5- Expressing the conviction that the ruling party will not give up its power or monopoly on wealth and will not make any concessions to open the way to democracy. It will exploit all its carrot and stick tricks, both legal and illegal, to break up the opposition and attract some of its factions to create the false democratic facade needed for the coming legislative and presidential elections. There seems to be a belief, at least among the intellectual elite, that the persistence of the current conditions is dangerous, and therefore change is inevitable. Second, change will never be introduced by the ruling regime or even in cooperation with it. As such, we are prepared to start the second phase of change: making it happen. Making change happen requires that all interested parties come together to bring about change in order to: 1- Pressure the regime as much as possible and use all legitimate means to amend the three articles of the Constitution previously mentioned. 2- Have a unified list of candidates in the coming legislative elections, even if that requires agreement on the names of independent candidates known for their integrity and good reputation. 3- Agree on one presidential candidate to lead the executive branch in the transitional stage. Achieving those goals will require arduous negotiations to settle many of the details. However, I still believe that political powers participating in the current situation can agree on one program for change and sideline those powers that refuse to get involved or are on the lookout for deals with the ruling regime. Such a process of change also requires that all national figures refrain from accusing others of treason, and instead seek to unite powers and exercise some degree of self-restraint. Since the "Egyptian Campaign Against the Inheritance of Power" was not directed at a particular person or party and it is aware that thwarting plans to transfer power cannot be achieved unless a comprehensive democratic regime is established, it can become the institution to carry out the goals of the coming phase. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
