UAE | Government
Key issues emerge in poll candidates' agendas
Campaigning for the FNC elections draws to a clos, with several key issues emerging at the forefront of candidates' agendas.
- By Zoi Constantine, Abbas Al Lawati, Bassma Al Jandaly and Fuad Ali, Staff Reporters
- Published: 23:36 May 3, 2009
- Campaign materials of candidates for the FNC elections are displayed in several areas in the UAE.
- Image Credit: Gulf News
Dubai/Fujairah: Campaigning for the FNC elections drew to a close on Thursday, with several key issues emerging at the forefront of candidates' agendas.
Far from simply representing the views of only one segment of UAE society, key issues such as quality healthcare and education, the increasing cost of living and identity were raised by the candidates.
Here is a round-up of the six main trends to emerge from the last two weeks of campaigning:
Among the issues raised was spending in the health sector and the reliability of health services in the UAE. Candidates said that despite heavy spending on the sector, UAE residents often chose to seek medical treatment abroad because of a "lack of trust" in local health services.
Meanwhile, others proposed the establishment of specialist national medical centres throughout all emirates, saying that centralisation of health services should be avoided to provide access for all residents. Some also expressed concerns about the privatisation of health services.
Many candidates touched on the "urgent" need for reform in the education system, often calling for an improvement on the standard of education in government schools, to make it more well-rounded.
There were also calls to re-evaluate the qualifications of those setting school syllabi in the UAE's government schools, calling for a better understanding of UAE culture and tradition. Improving the quality of basic education, many said, should be a priority.
The issue of the UAE's population makeup and its effect on UAE identity emerged as a common issue among many candidates.
Some took a pragmatic approach to the demographic issue, pointing out that it was "not new" and had been discussed by the FNC before, also acknowledging that the issue could take time to address. Quick solutions cannot be found for the demographic issue, it was said.
Some candidates went as far as to say that Emirati identity was "under threat" and urged better awareness. However, many agreed that expatriate residents of the UAE were part of the fabric of its society.
Candidates urged the need to promote more interaction between expatriates and Emiratis while maintaining traditional and religious values. Preservation of the Arabic language was also stressed by several candidates, with some expressing fears of the "dominance" of the English language in the UAE.
On the FNC itself, key reform issues emerged such as the term of each FNC, the number of members and powers.
Most concerned about the consultative council highlighted its role as a priority, often calling for it to be given legislative powers, saying it was a vital part of the "evolution" of the UAE's political development.
Some also said that the current number of FNC seats was reflective of the UAE's population three decades ago, and that an expansion of the FNC was required "to reflect the new realities".
Candidates highlighted the problems associated with the rising cost of living in the UAE, particularly Dubai. Saying that the problem was not a "scarcity of funds", but rather the "inflationary pressure" felt by all in the UAE, candidates said that the conditions have led to a range of problems. The impact on housing and quality of life were particularly highlighted.
Finding jobs for recently graduated UAE nationals was highlighted by candidates, with some saying that tackling unemployment should be a priority in a country which creates many job opportunities for foreigners. Citing statistics on the number of unemployed nationals, some candidates called for a greater commitment from the different sectors.
Others said that solving the problem could start by compensating qualified unemployed people and training others.
UAE citizens' main concerns drawn up
In an interview with Gulf News prior to the beginning of campaigning, Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for FNC Affairs, spelled out the main priorities of UAE citizens. The list was derived from a workshop held for decision-makers to "prioritise what the challenges are in the coming period". The key issues that emerged were:
- Demographics
- Education
- Maintaining the economy's performance
- Regional stability
- Health
- Environment
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