Liberal Socialists Party (Egypt)

The Liberal Socialists Party (Arabic: حزب الأحرار الاشتراكيين, Ḥizb al-ʾAḥrār al-Ištirākiyyīn) was a political party in Egypt,[1] initially affiliated to the Arab Socialist Union.

Liberal Socialists Party
Hizb al-Ahrar al-Ishtirakin
حزب الأحرار الاشتراكيين
ChairpersonHelmy Ahmed Salim
Founded1976 (1976)
Dissolved2011 (2011)
HeadquartersCairo
NewspaperAl Ahrar
Al Haquiqa
Al Nour
IdeologyIslamic liberalism
Economic liberalism
Political positionCentre-right
ReligionSunni Islam
National affiliationArab Socialist Union
(1976–1978)
Colours  Green
  black

History and profile

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The party was established in 1976.[2][3] Its leader was Mustafa Kamel Murad.[2] He led the party until his death in 1998.[4]

In the 2000 parliamentary elections, the party won 1 out of 444 seats in the Majlis al-Sha'ab. However, at the following elections in 2005, it failed to win any seats. It was part of the National Democratic Alliance for Egypt during the 2011-2012 parliamentary elections.[5]

There were official media outlets of the Liberal Socialist Party, including Al Ahrar and Al Nour.[6]

Platform

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  • Sharia is a main source of legislation.
  • Freedom of expression and thought.
  • Election the President and Vice-President through free elections.
  • Enhancing role of the private sector.
  • Ensuring basic rights of labourers and peasants.
  • Freedom of the press.
  • Independence of the judiciary.
  • Development of education.

Electoral history

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People's Assembly of Egypt elections

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Election Votes % Seats +/– Position
1976 as part of ASU
15 / 360
  15   2nd
1979
2 / 392
  13   3rd
1984 33,448 0.7%
0 / 458
  2   5th
1987 1,163,525 17%

as part of the Islamic alliance

60 / 458
  60   2nd
1990 Boycotted
0 / 454
  60
1995
1 / 454
  1   6th
2000
1 / 454
    5th
2005
0 / 518
  1

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Egypt State Information Service". SIS. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  2. ^ a b Roberto Aliboni (3 January 2013). Egypt's Economic Potential. Routledge. p. 205. ISBN 978-1-135-08688-6.
  3. ^ Ninette S. Fahmy (2012). The Politics of Egypt: State-Society Relationship. Routledge. p. 71. ISBN 978-1-136-12994-0.
  4. ^ Maye Kassem (1 January 2004). Egyptian Politics: The Dynamics of Authoritarian Rule. Lynne Rienner Publishers. p. 78. ISBN 978-1-58826-247-9.
  5. ^ "Democratic Alliance (Freedom and Justice) - Electoral Alliances - Elections 2011 - Ahram Online". Egyptian Elections Watch. 18 November 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  6. ^ Salwa Ismail (May 1998). "Confronting the Other: Identity, Culture, Politics, and Conservative Islamism in Egypt". International Journal of Middle East Studies. 30 (2): 199. doi:10.1017/S0020743800065879. S2CID 154518536.
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