The head of the first political party to be recognised after the 25 January Revolution calls for parliamentary elections to be delayed for at least one year, reports Reem Leila On 19 February the Supreme Administrative Court annulled a decree issued by the Political Parties Committee, effectively approving the creation of Al-Wasat Al-Gadid (The New Moderate Party) and ending a 15-year struggle for the party to be recognised. Al-Wasat was founded by Abul-Ela Madi in 1996 following a split with the Muslim Brotherhood. It has applied four times for a licence from the Political Parties Committee, headed by Safwat El-Sherif, only to be turned down. The most recent unsuccessful application was in 2009. Madi describes the court ruling as a great victory. Most Egyptians, he says, are religious, and both Christians and Muslims share the same conservative outlook. The newly approved party platform, he insists, promotes a tolerant version of Islam and an interpretation of Sharia which provides women and Christians with full citizenship rights and guarantees freedom of expression and belief. "We have two Coptic members and three women among the party's senior ranks," he says. The party's vice-chairman, Essam Sultan, seemed puzzled by the court ruling. "I cannot confirm that the changes taking place in Egypt are behind the court's decision though they must have made some kind of impact. Egypt is witnessing the birth of a new era of freedom of opinion. It is an atmosphere the authorities are keen to secure." Although Al-Wasat advocates a political system that is firmly anchored in Islamic law, it views Sharia principles as flexible and wholly compatible with the principles of pluralism and equal citizenship rights. Madi compares its principles to those of the Turkish Justice and Development Party, which has deep roots in Islam while at the same time it appeals to a broader electorate, including secular middle class elements. The party, says Madi, believes freedom takes precedence over religion and that the people are the only source of legitimacy. "The party will seek to promote the role of government in providing those in need with decent education, health services, housing and employment. The party also aims to fix minimum and maximum salaries for government employees so as to avoid the huge discrepancies that have developed." Parliamentary elections, argues Madi, must be postponed for at least a year. "All political parties need time to re-build themselves and formulate a manifesto on which to campaign. Al-Wasat will be happy to cooperate with all political powers, secular and democratic, to develop the democratic process."
