Constitution Party (Egypt)

The Constitution Party (Arabic: حزب الدستور‎, romanized: Ḥizb el-Dostour) is a political party in Egypt. Founded by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mohammad ElBaradei in 2012, it aims to protect and promote the principles and objectives of the 2011 Egyptian revolution, according to liberal ideals.[6]

Constitution Party

حزب الدستور
Ḥizb el-Dostour
PresidentSayyed Kassem[1]
FounderMohammad ElBaradei
Founded28 April 2012 (28 April 2012)
HeadquartersCairo, Egypt
Think tankNational Association for Change
IdeologyBig tent[2]
Liberalism[3]
Political positionCentre-left[4]
National affiliationCivil Democratic Movement[5]
Colors         Blue, green
Slogan"Bread, Freedom, Social Justice"
(Arabic: عيش حرية عدالة أجتماعية‎)
House of Representatives
0 / 568
Website
www.aldostourparty.org

Background

The party was launched on 28 April 2012 by Mohammad ElBaradei and a group of Egyptian intellectuals and activists. ElBaradei described that the aim of the party was "to save the great 25 January revolution, which has been derailed and is almost aborted, and to restore our unity."[7] The party was seen as a moderate force to counter emerging Islamist gains. ElBaradei said that he intended to increase the party's base for the next election in four years time. The party aims to unite all Egyptians, regardless of creed or ideology, behind democracy.

ElBaradei hoped the party would attract, in particular, the young people who were behind the uprising that toppled President Mubarak.[8] The Constitution Party has attracted a youthful membership, with over 85% of its membership being under the age of 35.[9] Youth leaders of the Constitution Party have at times expressed differences with party leadership, contributing to the internal dynamics influencing the party's development.[10][11][12][13]

The Constitution Party supported the Tamarod movement and the removal of President Mohamed Morsi in June 2013.[14][15] ElBaradei was appointed interim vice president by Adly Mansour but resigned one month later, in August 2013, over the use of violence against pro-Muslim Brotherhood protesters.[16][17] The resignation led to distancing between the Constitution Party and the party founder. A number of Constitution leaders resigned from the party after ElBaradei's resignation from the interim vice presidency.[18] ElBaradei is no longer involved with the party[19][20] though he was named honorary president of the party on 22 February 2014.[21]

The former spokesman of the party, Khaled Dawoud,[22] was stabbed on 4 October 2013.[23] A day later his condition had improved.[24]

The party announced an official neutral position on the January 2014 constitutional referendum but strongly encouraged Egyptians to participate.[25]

Hala Shukrallah was elected to lead the Constitution Party in February 2014, becoming both the first woman and first Christian to lead a major Egyptian party.[26][27]

The party endorsed Hamdeen Sabahi in the 2014 presidential election.[28]

Platform

The Constitution Party "aims to build a new Egypt based on democratic governance, education, competence, experience and the rule of law." Respect for human rights, advancing the Egyptian economy, providing for the basic needs of citizens, and advancing social equality are among the party's primary goals. The principles of the party are summarized in its slogan, "Bread, Freedom, and Social Justice." [29]

Principles of the Party

  • Citizenship and wise governance.
  • The State’s role in economic development.
  • The State’s responsibility for social justice.
  • Peaceful Political Activism.
  • Self-reliance, Preservation of identity and openness to the world.

Leaders
Leader Took office Left office
1 Mohamed ElBaradei 2012[30] 2013[31]
2 Sayyed Kassem (acting) 2013[31] 2014[31]
3 Hala Shukrallah 2014[31] 2015[32]
4 Khaled Dawoud (disputed) 2017[33] 2018[1]
5 Ahmed Bayoumi 2017[34] ?
6 Sayyed Kassem 2018[1] Present

Prominent figures
  • Mohammad ElBaradei, founding member and honorary president
  • George Ishak, founding member
  • Emad Abou Ghazi, founding member
  • Mohamed Soliman, founding member
  • Ahmed Harara, founding member
  • Mohamed Yousri Salama, founding member
  • Gameela Ismail, founding member
  • Hossam Eissa, founding member
  • Khaled Dawoud, former spokesman for the Constitution Party.
  • Hala Shukrallah, elected to lead the party in February 2014.
  • Tarek Hussein, Deputy head for Committee of rights and freedoms.
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See also

References
  1. Khaled Dawoud resigns as head of Egypt's Dostour party, Ahram Online, 13 May 2018, retrieved 18 April 2019
  2. "All broken up: new coalitions form as old electoral alliances die out". Daily News Egypt. 25 August 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  3. Howeidy, Amira (1 October 2012), "Egypt's political coalitions: Grand titles and vague platforms", Ahram Online, retrieved 13 December 2013
  4. "Dostour leader sets up party for new beginning", Mada Masr, 25 February 2014, archived from the original on 26 March 2014, retrieved 25 February 2014
  5. "Eight liberal and leftist Egyptian parties to boycott 2018 presidential elections". Ahram Online. 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  6. "الدستور" يتقدم بأوراقه للجنة الأحزاب و"البرادعى": هدفنا"لم الشمل" وتمكين الشباب"". Al-Masry Al-Youm. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  7. Afify, Heba (28 April 2012). "ElBaradei returns to Egyptian politics with new revolutionary party". Egypt Independent.
  8. "Baradei launches new Egyptian party, but too late for election". BBC News. 28 April 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  9. Lindsey, Ursula. "A new leader for a young party". Mada Masr. Archived from the original on 26 March 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  10. "Dostour Party's youth not decided on supporting candidate yet: Shukrallah". The Cairo Post. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  11. "Dostour Party youths sit-in at HQ". Egypt Independent. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  12. Kortam, Hend (3 April 2013). "Al-Dostour Party youth launch initiative". Daily News Egypt. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  13. "Troubled Constitution Party hit with 54 resignations in Egypt's Alexandria". Ahram Online. 16 October 2013. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  14. Assran, Mahitab (4 June 2013). "Reactions vary to Tamarod's 30 June plans". Egypt News Daily. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  15. "Dostour Party: President Morsy "lost his mind"". Egypt Independent. 3 July 2013. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  16. "The Return of El-Baradei". Asharq Al Awsat. 11 July 2013. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  17. "ElBaradei quits as Egypt vice president in protest at crackdown". Reuters. 14 August 2013. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  18. El-Adawy, Adel. "Egypt's Crackdown and ElBaradei's Resignation". 13 Aug 2013. The Washington Institute. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  19. Abdel Tawab, Mostafa (13 February 2014). "Dostor Party chairman: ElBaradei believes that his political role is over". The Cairo Post. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  20. "Dostour: ElBaradei no longer connected with party", Egypt Independent, 18 September 2013, retrieved 13 December 2013
  21. "Al-Dostour elects Egypt's first female party leader", Daily News Egypt, 22 February 2014, retrieved 24 February 2014
  22. Egyptian Dostour Party spokesperson Khaled Dawoud resigns, Ahram Online, 23 August 2015, retrieved 29 August 2015
  23. "Constitution Party's Khaled Dawoud stabbed by 'pro-Morsi protesters'", Ahram Online, 4 October 2013, retrieved 13 December 2013
  24. "Strong Egypt Party denounces Khaled Dawoud stabbing", Egypt Independent, 5 October 2013, retrieved 13 December 2013
  25. El-Dabh, Basil (10 December 2013). "Al-Dostour Party condemns boycotting the referendum". Daily News Egypt. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  26. Kingsley, Patrick (1 March 2014). "First woman to head a political party in Egypt says it proves the revolution has changed attitudes". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  27. "Hala Shukrallah succeeds ElBaradei as head of Constitution Party". Ahram Online. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  28. "Dostour Party endorses Sabbahi's candidacy". Mada Masr. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  29. "About us". Al Dostour Party. Archived from the original on 23 March 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  30. Egypt's Mohamed ElBaradei launches Egyptian party, Ahram Online, 28 April 2012, retrieved 18 April 2019
  31. Hala Shukrallah succeeds ElBaradei as head of Constitution Party, Ahram Online, 21 February 2014, retrieved 18 April 2019
  32. "Hala Shukrallah's term as Constitution Party leader ends". Ahram Online. 24 April 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  33. Al-Dostour Party designates Khaled Dawoud as new president, Daily News Egypt, 26 January 2017, retrieved 18 April 2019
  34. Ahmed Bayoumi elected new Al-Dostour Party leader, Daily News Egypt, 18 March 2017, retrieved 18 April 2019
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