MDS conference on "Democratic Change Reality and Prospects"

Works of the Socialist Democratic Movement (MDS)’s two-day conference, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Party’s creation, on the theme: "Democratic Change: Reality and Prospects", started on Saturday in Tunis.

TUNIS - Works of the Socialist Democratic Movement (MDS)’s two-day conference, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Party’s creation, on the theme: "Democratic Change: Reality and Prospects", started on Saturday in Tunis.

The conference was attended by the political parties’ secretary-generals, intellectuals and academics from Algeria, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia.

In an opening address, MDS secretary-general Ismael Boulehya paid tribute to all those who strive to disseminate democracy in the Arab region, reminding that the Movement has endeavoured, since its creation, to spread democratic awareness and practiced its right to free speech and organisation before its being legally recognised.

In this connection, Mr. Boulehya voiced gratitude to President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali for his constant support to political parties and the organisation of this conference.

This support, he added, materialises the President of the Republic’s deep conviction of the important role of intellectuals within political parties and in promoting the democratic culture in Arab societies for the sake of a fair and balanced social and economic development.

Then, the participants listened to the addresses of the parties’ secretary-generals.

Constitutional Democratic Rally (RCD) secretary-general Hédi M’henni extended congratulations to the MDS secretary-general and activists on their Party’s 30th anniversary.

He added that the conference is an opportunity to remind of the Head of State’s decisive historical role in making the democratic and pluralist process a robust foundation for the construction of the country’s civilisational project.

In this connection, Mr. M’henni underscored the vanguard reform policies which broadened and entrenched the national choice, thanks to a development approach that rests on the correlation between the political, economic and social dimensions to further achieve progress and prosperity for Tunisia.

For his part, Popular Unity Party (PUP) secretary-general Mohamed Bouchiha commended the special attention President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali lends to the political parties and his positive and serious interaction with their requests and programmes.

Mr. Bouchiha called to be better prepared to ensure the success of the next political events, notably the presidential and legislative elections, as part of sound political competition to grant the democratic experience greater maturity.

Besides, he highlighted the similarity of viewpoints and positions among the national political parties on the regional issues, notably, the Palestinian issue and the situation prevailing in Iraq and Syria.

Unionist Democratic Union (UDU) secretary-general Ahmed el Inoubli underlined that the Conference is held at a time when the Arab Nation strives untiringly to escape one of the most difficult situations.

Liberal Social Party (PSL) secretary-general Mondher Thabet hailed MDS’s attachment to the Movement’s founding values and principles, despite the hard circumstances that had marked out its course.

He added that the favourable conditions in which this Conference is held reflect President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali’s firm conviction that the future is for democracy and pluralism-bound, within the framework of the rule of law and institutions.

Green Party for Progress (PVP) secretary-general Mongi Khamassi underlined that the foundation of MDS constitutes a high fact in Tunisia’s political life and history: it marked the breaking off with the absolute personal power and paved the way for a new political stage, one based on democracy and pluralism, thus breathing a new dynamics into the national political landscape.

The agenda of the conference includes six working sessions turning essentially on democratisation of the Arab political systems, the role of the Maghreb political parties in the process of democratic transition, reform in the Arab world, the Palestinian issue and interaction between democracy and culture.

TAP