Al-Ahram Weekly On-line
22 - 28 March 2001
Issue No.526
Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 Current issue | Previous issue | Site map

Standing divided

By Wahid Abdel-Meguid *

Wahid Abdel-Meguid The Wafd Party's previous crises were generally typical of other political parties as well: disputes regarding leadership, administration or the internal dynamics of democracy are played out in complex ways, sometimes giving rise to the establishment of splinter parties, noisy or quiet resignations and dismissals.

The Wafd's most recent crisis is significantly different in that it affects the essential structure of the party. Following the death last July of Fouad Serageddin, the Wafd's historical leader, the unity of the party has not been properly safeguarded. No'man Gom'a's rise to power, which remains democratic even though contenders have disputed it in court, did not eliminate hereditary conflicts within the party, nor did it put an end to the exercise of power by influential elements who lost in the party elections. On 10 March, demonstrations were held outside party headquarters in support of Ayman Nour and Farid Hassanein -- a trial the party has not undergone since the crisis centering on Mustafa Nagui, party head secretary and influential figure, which beset the Wafd in 1985.

Though it touches on administrative and organisational issues as well, the present crisis reflects the conflict of legitimate leadership with the authority of (financial or social) influence. And it remains up to the next general assembly meeting, to be held in July, to undertake the task of putting the party together again.

*This week's soapbox speaker is deputy head of the Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies.

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