Hassan Nafaa, general coordinator for the National Association for Change (NAC), has announced that the association is witnessing a new start in the lead up to the parliamentary elections in November and the presidential elections next year. His comments were made two days ago at a press conference held at the Democratic Front Party headquarters. "The NAC has decided on a plan consisting of three phases," said Nafaa, which will guide the association's activities over the coming months. The first phase involves raising awareness about the association, holding popular conferences, continuing a signature-gathering campaign, and staging a series of protests in front of parliament against the extended Emergency Law and the "rigged" Shura Council elections last month. This phase will also see more work through professional syndicates. It is set to last for six weeks. The second stage will focus on the People's Assembly elections in November. Many NAC members want to boycott the election, said Nafaa, however he added that such a boycott would be futile unless all political parties agree to it. If the regime continues to ignore demands for reform, said Nafaa, the NAC will then coordinate with different political groups to form a unified list of opposition candidates for the People's Assembly election. The third stage will start after the conclusion of the People's Assembly election, and will be mainly invovle assessing the election's results and considering possible actions in the lead up to the presidential elections next year. Nafaa said new developments in the Wafd Party do not constitute a threat to the NAC, adding that genuine opposition enriches political life. He further added that change will not happen without the involvement of the Muslim Brotherhood, nor can they introduce change by working alone. Meanwhile, Mohamed el-Beltagy, assistant general secretary for the Brotherhood bloc in parliament, said he submitted a detailed report on a recent meeting with the NAC to the Brotherhood Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie. Mohamed el-Morsi, a member of the Guidance Bureau, has reported that Badie is satisfied with the performance and activities of the NAC. Transalted from the Arabic Edition.
