Islamist parties divided ahead of presidential elections

Islamist activists experience more division ahead of the presidential elections due to be held in April as a conflict is going on over leadership of the Islamist trend in Algeria.

Islamists in Algeria have been dreaming of reaching power since the Muslim Brotherhood ruled Egypt and Tunisia. Yet, all the indicators show that they will run for the elections amid division.

Doctor Zoubir Arous, a specialist in Islamic movements, believes that Islamic movements and parties have been always living in division since their first days.  

“Ego of those trends’ leaders prevents any agreement upon a unique candidate for the next elections either an Islamic, a nationalist or a democratic one,” he told Echorouk.

He believes that there are three reasons behind this situation: their methodologies and ideological references are different. They do not use the same political action means and they have been in conflict over leadership since the 1990’s.   

He added that the Islamic parties will never be unified because the causes still exist and there is no mutual trust.

Speaking about Islamists’ ambition to reach power one day, the researcher said they should be modest and stop using religion in political actions.

“They should use a strategy based on real understanding of society’s problems as people do not accept emotional speech anymore,” he added.