Gulf | Bahrain
Bahraini 'democratic forces' to join hands soon
A political formation that purports to unify Bahrain's "democratic forces" and "reinvigorate their vigour" will be reportedly set up soon.
- By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief
- Published: 00:00 February 13, 2006
Manama: A political formation that purports to unify Bahrain's "democratic forces" and "reinvigorate their vigour" will be reportedly set up soon.
"The forces of the leftist movement are not currently as vivacious as they should be and there is a critical need to revive them through a merger and the constitution of a political formation with major political and social influences," sources on Sunday told Gulf News, quoting activists who attended a series of meetings to discuss the issue.
According to the activists, Waad, the recently renamed Democratic Action Society, and the Progressive Tribune, Al Menbar, would join forces before the end of the year under the "Democratic Bloc" in an attempt to reaffirm their presence on the political scene and gain a wider popular base to compete with other emerging alliances.
"The left has gradually lost its influence and is now marginalised in Bahrain's political life. It has a status that does not in any way reflect its long and rich history of struggles and combats," a statement distributed by the activists said.
A solution to redress the situation is to dissolve both Waad and Al Menbar at extraordinary meetings and then merge them into a single formation that would reinvigorate the ideals and boost the progress of the traditionally active and successful left, said the activists.
Both Sunni and Shiite societies dominate political and institutionalised life in Bahrain. Al Wefaq, a Shiite society, remains the largest in the country, whereas Al Asala and Al Menbar have a high number of followers among Sunni community.
Over half of the elected 40-member Council of Representatives comprises Islamists from both sects who often receive support from centrists .
Under-representation of the left is also due to a decision by some activists in 2002 to shun legislative elections.
"The Democratic movement should also reconsider its options and take part in the 2006 elections if it does not want to be left out," the activists' statement said.
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