Egypt’s factions divided over Jan. 25 celebrations
The political powers in Egypt are divided over whether to celebrate the anniversary of the January 25 Revolution, but they all expect bloodshed.
Bombs exploded across Cairo on Jan. 24 in advance of a day many expected to be bloody reminder of Egypt’s fractured political landscape. As the country approaches the third anniversary of the January 25 Revolution, Egypt’s political forces are split among those who plan to celebrate, those who will demonstrate, and those who plan to boycott. The occasion provides an opportunity to compare the positions of Egyptian parties today and over the past two years toward celebrating the revolution.
National Salvation Front
Wahid Abdel Magid, the official spokesman for the National Salvation Front (NSF), informed Al-Monitor that the NSF has not adopted a unified position on participating in events commemorating the revolution's third anniversary. He predicts celebratory scenes and peaceful protests as well as violent and bloody demonstrations.
Among the organizations under the front's umbrella, the Wafd Party, the Free Egyptians Party, and the Conference Party all announced that they will participate in celebrations taking place on Tahrir Square and in some provinces. The Egyptian Social Democratic Party, however, decided not to celebrate, contenting itself with organizing events at the party’s branches and visiting the families of the martyred and wounded. The Constitution Party has not announced an official position on celebrating. The party’s branches in Port Said, Beheira and al-Monufia governorate, however, issued statements announcing that they will not be taking part in public celebrations, in part to demonstrate their rejection of what they called the “state of sharp polarization in Egyptian society” as well as for security reasons related to possible confrontations with supporters of deposed President Mohammed Morsi.
