Egypt will not retreat from the path of democracy, said Prime Minister Essam Sharaf on Saturday, adding that he personally supports the idea of postponing the parliamentary elections slated for September. During a meeting on Saturday evening with representatives of the Egyptian community in the South African capital Pretoria, following an African economic assembly, Sharaf said he is keen to give the movement for political change in Egypt a chance. He also declared his intention to “connect Egyptian expatriates to their homeland through participation in the voting process in elections and referendums to come." In response to a question concerning the path of democratic transformation in Egypt, Sharaf said the democratic process must be reinforced by building a strong economy. He went on to say that the debate in Egypt is now focused on the necessary steps needed to achieve democratic transformation, with some voices demanding the presidential elections precede the parliamentary elections and others calling for the new constitution to be written first. Sharaf said that intensive discussions are ongoing, with some voices suggesting a postponement of sorts. He also expressed his wish that, over time, the change brought about by the uprising would have a positive effect on the political arena. "I feel that the process of democratization will be successful, as democracy is well established in the genes of the Egyptian people, as evidenced by that the 40 percent voter rate in the referendum on constitutional amendments in March, a high rate compared to previous referendums that took place a few years ago,” said Sharaf. He added that his office door was open for everyone and that he is keen on meeting with regular citizens on the street who he sometimes meets in his own home. He also said that from time to time his political advisor meets with the revolutionaries, pointing out that these were all signs of democracy. Translated from the Arabic Edition
