Juggling the mix

By Amr Elchoubaki

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The union elections that are about to take place are a microcosm of the wider political scene. As expected the regime is trying to control the outcome of the elections, mainly by erecting administrative obstacles. Regional labour union representatives are said to be under instructions not to hand out certificates of membership to candidates without prior approval from pro- government union leaders. Reformists within the labour unions say that by denying candidates the necessary papers the government is trying to exclude the opposition. Yet some members of the opposition, both from the left and the Muslim Brotherhood (MB), seem to have dodged the restrictions.

Curiously enough, the left and the MB are using similar rhetoric in their campaigns. A statement by the MB refers to the suffering of "Egypt's loyal workers from privatisation, unemployment, a tight labour market and high prices". For once the MB seems to be shying away from religious rhetoric to focus on political and economic issues. We know that the elections will bring pro- government figures to office but a few of the pro-reform candidates are also likely to win, reversing years of tight government control over the unions. The labour movement is likely to have an opposition that is Islamic rather than leftist in its composition. This too will be a new phenomenon for unions that have traditionally been the site of rivalry between pro-business and leftist candidates. With the religious right- wing in the picture labour union politics may become a little less predictable.

This week's Soapbox speaker is a political analyst at Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies.