CAIRO - Deputy Prime Minister Ali el-Sellami recently stated that the Government is considering drawing up a document of constitutional principles, reflecting the vision of different political powers. He noted that the draft document would be submitted for public approval; if it were approved, a new constitutional declaration would be announced, based on these principles. El-Sellami wants to settle the ongoing debate over the transitional period and holding parliamentary elections prior to a new constitution establishing the basic rules of a modern, civil, democratic state in Egypt. Since the Salafist demonstration on July 29, the Islamists have been adopting a high profile, something which worries the liberals, who fear that the Islamists might dominate the political scene. Different political powers have, therefore, started putting together a document of basic principles prior to the parliamentary elections, so that, if the Islamists win the majority of parliamentary seats, the Constitution will have to take the opinions of other political parties into account, not just theirs. The Islamists are against this document, arguing that the liberals are trying to enforce their vision for post-revolution Egypt, ignoring a public that approved the constitutional amendments in a referendum last March. To try and foist their vision on every political power, the Islamists are threatening to hold one-million man demonstrations and even strikes, if the Military Council endorses such a declaration of principles. A confrontation seems inevitable between the two parties. This might upset the social peace and even the political process. The only solution is for the leaders of the two sides to sit down together and negotiate the principles prior their endorsement. They must also be clearly approved by the public via another referendum, so they can be endorsed, with any future political power ruling the country having to commit itself to them.
