Parliament must decide on political parties

Establishing political parties in Bahrain will only make its 'democracy' more stronger and it is up to the upcoming parliament and His Majesty, King of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, to endorse such a move, said the minister of cabinet affairs.

As in the other five GCC states, political parties are banned in Bahrain by law. However, the country boasts about more than a dozen political groupings called the 'societies' which take up the role of an organised party.

"They are indeed de facto parties. They work like political parties but they are not called parties," said Mohammed Al Mutawa at the Elections Media Centre on Saturday night.

Bahrain currently doesn't have a law regulating the establishment of parties, he said, but added it is up to the members of the new parliament elected by the people on Thursday for the first time in 29 years, and His Majesty the King to decided if the country needs such a law.

"Personally, I am in favour of setting up political parties," said the minister.