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Al-Ahram Weekly 14 - 20 September 2000 Issue No. 499 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 14 - 20 September 2000 Issue No. 499
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region Interview International Economy Opinion Culture Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Prospects for change
Ahmed Abu-Zeid
Ahmed Abu-Zeid, 61, was the NDP majority leader in the outgoing People's Assembly. Abu-Zeid became deputy for Ismailia in 1979 and, in 1993, succeeded El-Shazli as majority leader. In the following interview, Abu-Zeid speaks to Al-Ahram Weekly about the NDP's performance, the role of businessmen in the NDP and the NDP's plans for the elections.
In People's Assembly debates last April on the law regulating the exercise of political rights, you criticised businessmen and warned against their sweeping the next elections. Why did you do that?
Because it is true. I criticised businessmen because there are growing signs that today's parliament could become similar to the parliaments of the monarchy. In the pre-1952 era, the wealthy capitalists and feudalists were the dominant class. They managed, with their money, to buy seats in parliament. It is ironic that some people believe that liberal democracy was the hallmark of the monarchy. This is not true. What is true is that the wealthy were able to conquer parliament with their money.
In the parliamentary debates, I was surprised that some businessmen called for raising the candidacy registration fee from LE200 to LE5,000 or even LE10,000. This could be a major deterrent for ordinary citizens, because only the wealthy can afford these sums.
Some assert that businessmen already play a dominant role in the NDP. Is this true? And wasn't it surprising that an appointed businessman was chosen by the Press Syndicate's Division of Parliamentary Correspondents as the second best deputy in the Assembly?
In all of his pronouncements, President Mubarak has affirmed his keenness to see the NDP made up of a balanced ratio of all professions, including businessmen. As for choosing an appointed businessman as the second best deputy, let me say this was not a good choice. I'm afraid to say that purchasing power, rather than performance excellence, was behind the choice of the best 45 deputies in the outgoing parliament.
Generally, how do you evaluate the performance of the NDP members of the outgoing Assembly?
The performance of NDP deputies was good to a large extent. Yes, some deputies were involved in financial malpractices and they now serve years in prison. I have said repeatedly that this should not be taken against the NDP. In fact, it is in the NDP's favour, because it means the NDP never hesitates to punish members found guilty.
Let me also remind you that NDP members of the outgoing Assembly faced a lot of difficulties. The fact that nearly four years of parliament's term coincided with the tenure of former prime minister Kamal El-Ganzouri topped these difficulties. Cooperation between the NDP deputies and El-Ganzouri left a lot to be desired and, as a result, the deputies were largely unable to deliver to their constituencies many of the services they had promised.
At his recent meetings with leading NDP figures, Gamal Mubarak, member of the NDP's Secertariat General, announced that the NDP will be swept by changes following the elections. Many now feel certain that old guard members will be replaced by new faces. Do you agree?
I think it is good that the party will be invigorated by new blood. This is necessary in all parties. But I also think that the party cannot easily dispense with leading figures, especially those who have great experience. This is also necessary in all parties.
Although elections have been set for 18 October, the NDP is still reluctant to release its final list of candidate names, sparking complaints the delay might negatively affect NDP candidates' chances. Do you agree?
The party usually releases its candidate list one month before the election date. Now, elections have been set for 18 October and the complete list of candidates will be announced on 17 September. Since the elections will be held in three stages, there will be enough campaigning time for NDP candidates.
The elections will be held under full judicial supervision for the first time. Do you think the NDP will still win the majority of seats?
Yes. I'm sure the party will win a majority again because many of its candidates enjoy great popularity. At the same time, I think that opposition parties will win a larger number of seats and this is certainly a service to democracy.
Related article:
The winds of change
As smoothly as possible
Born at the centre 12 - 18 October 1995
See The 1995 elections
