CAIRO: Following in the footsteps of the Islamic movements' coalitions, 15 Egyptian political groups announced a coalition at a press conference on Tuesday. The coalition, being called the Egyptian Bloc consists of mostly liberal and secular powers. The coalition issued its first statement on Tuesday that confirmed the Bloc's commitment to supporting and rallying for a state of law in Egypt and stated their aspirations to political, social and economic development in the country. The bloc also said it will run as one entity in the upcoming election under one logo and one election listing. It also invited any group or individuals to join the coalition “to push for a modern state.” The bloc added that it stands against no group or coalition and that they are open to all different views. The bloc contains political parties such as the leftists al-Tagama'a, al-Gabha, the liberal al-Masreen al-Ahrar and Masr al-Horriya, the Sufi al-Tahrir in addition to the Egyptian Assembly for Change, the Independent Labor Syndicate and the independent Farmers Syndicate among others. The bloc is now Egypt's largest non-religious political coalition. “What makes this coalition unique is that we believe without a doubt in a secular Egypt built on law and the rule of the constitution,” said Osama al-Ghazali Harb, head of al-Gabha party. “It is within our rights to have a constitutional declaration that we agree upon that express the goals and the dreams of the revolution.” Harb added. “The bloc is not against any political group and we don't work from that negative perspective, we are rather apolitical coalition that works to achieve the revolution's aims of justice, prevalence of law and citizenship,” added Amr Hamzawi, political science professor at Cairo university and founder of Masr al-Horriya party. Hamzawi added that the bloc's main purpose revolves around the elections, however after that it might see other collaborations between these powers as their political and social stands are similar. The Egyptian parliamentary elections are expected later this year, but the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), Egypt's ruling authority, has not yet set a definitive date for the voting. Last week, the SCAF announced late September as the beginning of the registration for the different candidates. Last week also witnessed an Islamic coalition that aims to support Islamic political parties and groups in managing their election campaigns. The Islamic coalition said it aims to bring all religious based groups aiming for power under one umbrella to avoid losing votes. BM
