The Salafist Al-Watan Party announced Saturday their strategy for the coming period as an initiative to ensure national reconciliation and a successful transition and to end all disputes in the political scene.
However, the party said in a Saturday statement, that such an initiative should not be considered as a call for reconciliation but rather a proposal for a dialogue “that units and doesn’t divide”.
The party denounced all forms of violence and emphasised that the rule of law as well as amending some articles in the current constitution. “Pluralism must be based of separation of powers and condemning any attempts of hijacking the legitimacy which is based on the constitution and the law.”
The statement added that the Egyptian army is the nucleus of the country, and should be considered a neutral national institution that focuses only on military related issues
Also the party emphasised on giving a due care to transitional justice to confront any human rights violations.
Last week the party withdrew from the Anti Coup Alliance (ACA), amid concerns that the party will form a coalition, among with the Wasat Party which withdrew from the ACA last August, to attract movements and parties opposing the current regime.
However, the party issued a statement Friday denying any attempt to run for the anticipated parliamentary elections. “We anticipate that the coming elections will be a manoeuvre by the current oppressive regime to seek legitimacy, and will lack any kind of transparency.”
Youssry Hamad, previously said: “The party believes that what happened in the 30 June is a coup. What we are witnessing is return of the Mubarak regime.”
He also denied that the party would participate in the parliamentary elections.
“According to the law, the elections should take place after the constitution is amended. In reality this is not the case,” he said. “The current system is exclusionary and supported by a media machine that is biased and aims to demonise all opposition.”
The Al-Watan Party withdrew from the MB-led alliance on 17 September, citing its need to work outside the alliance’s framework to establish a more inclusive alliance.
Islamist parties have been divided since the ouster of president Morsi last year. Al-Nour Party, a strong backer of President Al-Sisi’s government, is planning to run for elections amid a wave of calls to dissolve all political parties that base its rhetoric on religious discourse.
Other Islamist parties have been united in the Anti-Coup Alliance, witnessing a severe crackdown by the government.
