Former Arab League chief sets 100-day plan if he wins Egyptian presidency

Former Arab League Secretary General and potential presidential candidate Amr Moussa announced his plan for his first 100 days in office if he wins the upcoming elections, due to be held in June.

He also stressed that corruption and poverty are among his top priorities.

In a tour of the densely populated district of Shubra in northern Cairo, Amr Moussa spoke about the major problems facing the residents, especially those related to cleanliness, utilities, and services. Moussa pledged to solve these problems and guarantee a dignified life for Egyptians if he becomes president.

Moussa then went on to talk about the plans he has for the first 100 days in his presidency.

“I will start with a war on corruption and will restructure all state bodies,” he said, addressing the residents of Shubra.

Moussa explained that corruption had reached unprecedented levels during the former regime’s rule and said Egypt has to be totally reconstructed in order to start afresh.

“It is impossible to eliminate poverty or solve the problems of slum areas without first succeeding in fighting corruption. I will also pay special attention to setting minimum and maximum wages, raising pensions, and offering welfare for the unemployed.”

Corruption, he added, is the source of several plights in Egypt, especially poverty and slum areas throughout the country.

Moussa also pointed out the importance of achieving progress in the areas of agriculture and industry to boost the Egyptian economy.

Moussa stressed that the revolution is on the right track, despite attempts to obstruct its main objectives and to use the uprising for the gains of specific individuals or groups, he said without mentioning which groups he was referring to.

When asked about fears of the dominance of Islamist parties especially after their sweeping victory they scored in the first stage of the parliamentary elections, Moussa said that was no need to worry.

“If we accept democracy, then we should accept the results it brings.”
Moussa also called upon Islamist parties to make the interest of Egypt and its people their main priority.

Regarding security, Moussa said it is necessary to restructure the entire police force and to establish a new kind of relationship between them and the people.

“The police have to work for the people and to make them feel secure.”
As for the consultative council that would help the Higher Council for the Armed Forces in running the country during the transitional period, which has lately caused much controversy, Moussa said the council’s mission would be over as soon as the parliament is formed.

“The parliament will then be the only body that has legislative powers and not the council.”

Moussa added that the establishment of this council was a good step to address people’s concerns and to pave the way for the return of normalcy to Egypt.

“This council is made up of patriotic members who will never give up their role in serving the country and they joined it in order to confirm that role.”
When asked about the main characteristics of the next president, Moussa said he needs to be able to coordinate between the different factions in Egypt.

“The Egyptian political scene is not yet ready for the parliamentary system, especially as it has just come out of a dictatorship.”

Moussa also visited a Coptic Orthodox charity organization where he stressed the importance of the unity between Muslims and Christians.

“Shubra is the best example of national unity because it is home to a large Christian community and Egyptians from both faiths live together there.”
Moussa also called upon Christian clerics to take part in shaping Egypt’s future and in passing this critical stage.

He also criticized the recent discourse that divided political powers into Islamist and liberal powers and that linked the latter to the church.
“It is important that we resist this sectarian divide and strengthen our unity.”

After praying in one of Shubra’s biggest mosques, Moussa visited one of the district’s most famous churches then sat in one of the coffee houses where he talked with people about the current situation in Egypt.

Moussa is also scheduled to pay a visit ON Tuesday to the governorate of Luxor in Upper Egypt, where he plans to visit several villages and the working class district. He will then head on Wednesday to the governorate of Assuit, also in Upper Egypt.

(Translated from Arabic by Sonia Farid)