Highlights
– Egypt’s leading NDP held its 9th annual general conference from November 3-6, 2007 in Cairo
– Political and economic reform policies, to include privatization and foreign investment, were discussed; however no process was implemented
– However, several NDP policy adoptions will assist and provide a smoother transition for Gamal Mubarak as the next president
The National Democratic Party (NDP) announced that the 2007 general conference would build and solidify the party’s robust era of political transformation. NDP delegates reviewed the progress made by party officials during the past year and laid out an ambitious future agenda for moving Egypt forward.
Economic reform and democratization efforts were the two main issues discussed at the convention. The question of Gamal Mubarak’s succession to the presidency was brushed aside when asked directly, however, multiple policy amendments have laid a strong foundation for his takeover should he choose to accept it.
Economic and Political Reform Dominate Convention Agenda
This year’s general conference, the first since 2002, focused on seven main areas of political reform to strengthen the state of Egyptian democracy and the party structure:
• Supporting the 1971 constitution and recent amendments
• Fostering a multiparty system
• Ensuring the rule of law and swift justice
• Strengthening public freedoms and individual rights
• Supporting organizations of civil society
• Empowering women
• Encouraging the growth of municipal and local democracy
These key areas were reflected in the party’s legislative actions at the convention; however, additional issues pertaining to individual rights and justices were not given priority status.
The conference also focused on highlighting the successes and sustainability of the economy. Prime Minister, Ahmed Nazif, detailed the government’s success in diversifying the economy and fostering job growth, as well as in expanding agriculture, local infrastructure, and the information technologies and financial services sectors. Although economic growth in Egypt has increased by seven percent in the past two years, the majority of Egyptians have not been positively impacted by this growth.
Prime Minister Nazif said the party has a key role in realizing social justice, organizing the mechanisms of the marketplace, and providing basic pubic services, but thus far, few of these have materialized and no concrete future steps were detailed.
Moreover, the significant reform policies passed by the NDP government prompted the World Bank to classify Egypt as one of the best reforming countries in 2007 in their “Doing Business” 2008 report. However, these policies and success have not translated into change in many of the poor areas of Egypt.
Forecast: Success of Economy Will Determine Gamal’s Candidacy
Although Gamal Mubarak did not address speculation that he will take his father’s place as president in the next elections, he left the door open for a possible run . The NDP passed an amendment creating an overarching party committee that will chose a presidential candidate from its 50 members, one of whom is Gamal. In addition, Gamal delivered a review of NDP efforts aimed at implementing President Mubarak’s programs in the areas of political reform and democratization, which included the promulgation of 34 constitutional amendments in March 2007 (Previous Report, Previous Report).
These amendments, along with the party’s overwhelming 5,248 votes for Gamal Mubarak as President, clearly pave the way for a successful candidacy. Though he still denies his interest in running for president, Gamal has not ruled it out.
The telling sign for Gamal’s presidency will largely depend on how well the economy is doing by 2011, as Gamal’s political standing depends on achievements yet to be realized by the vast majority of Egypt’s civil society.
