Opposition to take on role of 'observer'

As Bahrain celebrated the inauguration of its newly-born democratic system with the opening of the legislative session, opposition leaders, who boycotted the national elections in October, chose to boycott the inaugural ceremony.

Four main opposition groups, including the widely-influential Islamic National Wefaq and the National Democratic Action associations, say they have a plan of their own to widen the scope of the on-going political reforms.

The four groups boycotted the country's first parliamentary elections in 29 years, held on October 24, to protest the amended constitution which grants the appointed Shura Council legislative powers at par with the elected Parliament. They are demanding that the old constitution of 1973 be reinstated.

Head of the political affairs at the NDA, Ali Rabi'ah, said the opposition was "doing the right thing."

"The next step for us as opposition is to announce our plan that details political, economical and social issues to be discussed and implemented for a better living," he told Gulf News shortly before the start of the first legislative session of the National Assembly.

Rabi'ah indicated that he views both chambers as being 'weak'. "Let's see what they can change," he said.

Dr Abdul Jalil Sangace, public relation officer of the Wefaq, said the opposition will take the role of an 'observer' as the National Assembly takes its first steps.

"We will be judging their every decision to make sure it is in the public interest," he said.

All laws and issues of concern should be discussed by the two houses, including the 'constitutional predicament', he said. But liberal independent MP Fareed Ghazi said Parliament was in no hurry to review the constitutional amendments, introduced by the King last February.

"We have other urgent things to look into," he told Gulf News. On top of the agenda are unemployment and corruption. "I don't think we will touch on the constitutional issue before two years," he said.