Photo: Tarek Al-Khouly, a founding member of the 6 April Party
(Photo By: Hend Kortam)
Representatives of political parties and youth groups launched the newest bloc on the Egyptian political scene, formed to adhere to the goals of the 2011 Revolution.
The ‘National Revolutionary Movements’ bloc was launched in a press conference held at the headquarters of the 6 April Democratic Front’s Party on Monday.
In addition to maintaining the goals of the revolution and continuing peaceful protests to bring down the “oppressive and tyrannical regime”, the bloc’s aims include retribution for “all martyrs” who died since the start of the revolution.
The bloc is also demanding the formation of a democratic state governed by the constitution and law. They want all citizens, particularly Egypt’s youth, to be a part of the country’s leadership.
Amr Ezz, one of the bloc’s founders, said the bloc attempts to unite all the revolutionary groups active on the street. “It tries to link revolutionary action to political action on the street,” he said.
Amr Aly, another founder, said the point of reuniting the revolutionary groups is to restore momentum to the revolution and to get the revolution back on track. “This is a phase of uniting all blocs for the service of the country…. and presenting clear economic alternatives as well as clear political alternatives,” he said.
Regarding elections, Aly said that “this youth coalition does not currently have the elections as a priority…. the elections require certain criteria that most of us know are not available”.
Tarek Al-Khouly, a founding member of the 6 April Party, read out the new bloc’s founding statement. The statement said after the revolution millions dreamt of a country where the rule of law, justice and equality would prevail. “But things went from bad to worse and a group which repeats the same mistakes of the past rose to power,” Al-Khouly read. “We have met to continue what we started and contribute to building a better future for Egypt,” he added.
The bloc’s code of ethics states that members of the bloc must respect other members despite differences in ideologies, and that members should not bypass official spokespersons of the bloc unless this was specifically agreed upon.
The code also bans obtaining funding from any person or organisation on behalf of the bloc or using the name of the bloc for personal gains.
So far, around 10 political parties and movements are taking part in the bloc, including the 6 April Party, the Maspero Youth Coalition and the Al-Adl Party.
The founders have repeatedly stressed that the bloc is open to anyone interested in joining.
