CAIRO: A number of the Democratic Alliance's founding parties are pondering pulling out as liberal parties discuss establishing a coalition for the political powers calling for a civil state, to counter those calling for a religious one. The parties slammed July 29 protests organized by Islamists — including the Muslim Brotherhood (MB), Salafis and the Islamic Group — which they said witnessed "violations." Tens of thousands of Islamists gathered in Tahrir Square on July 29, refusing a list of proposed supra-constitutional principles meant to guide the drafting of a new charter after parliamentary elections in November, and demanded the implementation of Sharia. "We completely reject what happened during the [July 29] protest and strongly condemn slogans that might put the country in serious danger. We will have a meeting with the MB and if they agree [with this stance], then we will reconsider our alliance with them — but we know they do not agree," said Alaa Abdel Moneim, member of Al-Wafd Party's higher committee. The Democratic Alliance, called for by Al-Wafd and the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), comprises parties from the left and far right, bringing together proclaimed liberals and Islamists. It includes Al-Wafd, Nasserist, Al-Ghad, Al-Karama, Al-Tagammu, Labor, FJP, Al-Geel, Al-Ahrar and the Egyptian Arab Socialist parties, as well as Al-Fadila and Al-Tawheed Al-Araby Salafi parties. "We are participating in the alliance in its stance toward the elections and political parties laws, but we have not considered contesting the elections in a unified list,” said Sayed Abdel Aal, general secretary of Al-Tagammu Party. The alliance proposed a draft law for the People's Assembly elections and a bill of constitutional principles to guide the constituent assembly that will draft the new constitution. The group also said they had agreed on mechanisms for contesting legislative elections in a unified list. Al-Tagammu called on Al-Wafd to withdraw from the alliance and to form a new alliance bringing together those powers calling for a civil state. "We refuse the upheaval that took place against the agreements we had and their refusal of supra-constitutional principles suggested by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF)," Abdel Aaal said. Abdel Moneim said they will meet with the MB on Sunday. Meanwhile a number of liberal parties, including Free Egyptians, Egyptian Social Democratic, Masr Al-Hurreya and Democratic Front parties, discussed the establishment of a new coalition comprising civil powers from the liberal, leftist and moderate Islamic stream to counter those calling for a religious state. They are set to announce the new coalition within a week. "We aren't building this coalition against anyone, but we are demanding a modern Egypt and achievement of the revolution's goals. We do not want to go back to the past regime and we do not want a regime built on discrimination based on religion or race," said Fareed Zahran, member of the higher committee of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party. Zahran criticized the Democratic Alliance saying that it lacks clear goals, whether it strives for a modern state or a religious state. Deputy head of FJP, Essam El-Erian, previously told Daily News Egypt that it is natural that new coalitions will form ahead of the elections. "We welcome new parties at the Democratic Alliance and we also do not mind if anyone leaves. This is an elections phase and it is natural that like-minded parties form coalitions," he said. Zahran said they might contest the elections under one roster within the new coalition, adding that the upcoming phase will witness competition between coalitions rather than individual political parties. Al-Nour Salafi Party said they are against division within the political scene and are working on achieving unity in this phase to earn public trust and begin developing the political arena. "We refuse such calls for liberal coalitions against the Islamic stream because they use the same mentality of the ousted regime by excluding others and being despotic in their opinion," said Youssry Hamad, spokesperson for Al-Nour. Hamad said the party is forming a committee to achieve reconciliation among political forces. Zahran said that the definition of a civil state has been exploited by Islamic powers, who are using the term civil state with an Islamic background, therefore, liberals are now focusing on citizenship and rule of law in their speech. "There is no agreement on what form of religious state the Islamic stream wants and that is why there is more than one party representing them," he said. He added that they wish to attract all streams to this coalition.
