Egypt’s liberals and leftists seek alternative to Islamist political dominance
Egypt’s liberals and leftists seek alternative to Islamist political dominance (Photo: Al Ahram)
In a political landscape seemingly dominated by Islamists and the military, Egypt’s secularists and liberals have launched what they hope will be new alternative.
The Third Current was launched in June by a number of prominent political figures and liberal parties with the aim of defending personal and political rights, and upholding the civil-democratic nature of the state.
The former tripartite liberal electoral bloc of the Free Egyptians Party, the Egyptian Social Democratic party and the Tagammu Party are the group’s main coordinators.
Calls for a ‘third way’ were first issued following the first round of Egypt's presidential elections, when several nationalist and revolutionary forces called on Hamdeen Sabbahi – who came in third place – to spearhead the initiative.
Since the announcement of the Third Current, confusion over its composition has begun to surface, especially since few details were provided about it after its launch in late June.
Adding to the confusion, Nasserist figure Hamdeen Sabbahi, who was involved in the formation of the Third Current, announced in July that he is to form a "Popular Current" with the cooperation of a group of leftist parties.
The Popular Current aims to reach beyond politics into "social and developmental fields," explained Sabbahi's campaign manager Hossam Moeness.
Moeness denied allegation that Sabbahi had defected from the Third Current after disagreements with its members.
"Our vision is to execute projects that were in Hamdeen Sabbahi's presidential programme, as well as establish a nationwide presence, partially as preparation for the next round of elections," Moeness said.
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