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National Democratic Party (Egypt)

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Template:Infobox Egyptian Political Party

The National Democratic Party (Al-Hizb Al-Watany Al-Demoqraty) was established in 1978 by late president Anwar Sadat who headed the party till 1981. After Sadat's death, the party has been chaired by President Hosni Mubarak and is the current ruling political party in Egypt.


Party Platform

  • The party is committed to the principle of citizenship as a basis for total equality of rights and obligations for all Egyptians.
  • The Party embraces the centrality of the Egyptian national identity and Egypt's civilizational affiliation with both the Arab and Islamic nations.
  • The Party seeks to ensure the respect of basic rights for all citizens and affirms the importance of continuing the process of democratization through respect for the rule of law, the constitution, and the protection of civil liberties. It also affirms the principles of transparency and accountability, freedom of the press and encouragement of political participation at all levels.
  • The Party believes in the role of the State in creating the appropriate atmosphere for the development process and achieving equilibrium of interests between the individual and the community.
  • The Party believes in the importance of the role of the private sector in attaining economic development.
  • The Party believes in the importance of the role of civil society institutions and non-governmental organizations in the development process.
  • The party seeks to enhance the role of youth and women in the in public life.
  • The Party believes in the importance of positive interaction with the world as a whole to achieve Egypt's national interest and attain the targeted development rates.

The Young Reformists

The NDP's young reformists, act as the party's modernising force under the leadership of Gamal Mubarak. Gamal Mubarak's policy secretariat was formed in 2002 with the apparent ambition of breathing life into the sclerotic NDP ¿ traditionally just a lifeless fig leaf lending legitimacy to government decisions.
He is credited with bringing fresh blood into the party in the shape of the young, western-educated economists, businessmen and academics who now participate in drawing up party policy alongside government ministers.
Despite having ruled the country, at least in name, for more than 20 years, the NDP had never before formulated policy.
Gamal's supporters say he has been modernising the party and in the process empowering a new generation of capable Egyptians.
The young reformists surrounding him are self-styled pragmatists who promote liberal economic policy and a greater role for the private sector in providing essential services such as health and education.
But despite the mounting importance within the party of Gamal's group, the same party bosses who have run the NDP for most of its life are still at the helm.

Opposition politicians say the continuing presence and influence of the old guard is proof that Gamal's Mubarak's reforms are cosmetic.
"There may be well-intentioned people in the NDP," said Mohamed Rifaat El-Said, leader of the left-wing Taggamu party.
"But what they are now doing is like handing someone sitting on a branch a saw and asking him to cut the branch off. For real change to occur you need a new mentality which means changing individuals."

The Old Guard

to be added

Power Struggle

to be added

Presidential Elections

The party chairman, President Mubarak ran as the party nominee in the first presidential elections in 2005. President Mubarak won the election race securing a fifth presidential term

Parliamentary Elections

At the last legislative elections, October and November 2000, the party won 353 out of 444 seats. It was joined by 35 non-partisan members of parliament. At the 2005 parliamnetary elections, the party won only 317, yet still maintains tha necessary majority of the assembly.

Party Issues

Presidential Succession

The involvement of Mubarak's son, Gamal into the NDP higher authorities have raised speculations that the president is grooming his son for his succession. Delegates at the 2003 National Democratic Party's three-day party conference adopted in its entirety a broad package of policies proposed by the younger Mr Mubarak - something which is bound to further fuel the speculation that he is being prepared to succeed his father.
Both the Egyptian president and his son have repeatedly denied that there are any such intentions.

Prominent Party members


External link

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