Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Saturday, April 20th, 2024

Afghan Political Parties Gather in Munich

Afghan Political Parties Gather in Munich

KABUL - A number of Afghan politicians gathered in Munich, Germany, on Saturday to discuss the future of the Afghan political system.

Several National Front Party (NFP) members and representatives from other political parties attended the two-day meeting tilted "Afghanistan, Path to Success." Ahmad Zia, the head of the NFP; Haji Mohammad Mohaqiq, a member of the NFP; Faizullah Zaki, another member of the NFP; Amrullah Saleh, head of the Green Trend of Afghanistan (GTA) and members of other political parties were among the reported attendees.

Civil society representatives from other Asian countries intended to attend the gathering as well. No German officials are participating in the event.

The NFP members who attended the meeting said that among the issues to be discussed were preparation plans for the Presidential election, the potential benefits of a decentralized political system, the peace process and the security situation.

"A Presidential or Parliamentary form of political system could also be discussed at the meeting," said Mohammad Nateqi, a member of the NFP.

Mohammad Anif Atmar, a member of the Right and Justice Party (RJP), was also invited to attend the meeting, but due to some unavoidable conflict he was unable to make it to Munich. However, he planned to participate via video conference.

A number of political experts believe that meetings between influential politicians like the one being held in Munich are a good way of ensuring the upcoming elections are carried out smoothly and legitimately.

It also seemed a focus of the conference would be the consideration of alternative political structures to the current highly centralized one.

"The participants will weigh all the pros and cons of having a decentralized form of government. In the present political system all the powers are vested in the Presidential Palace and it has been misused to make personal gains. People have the right to discuss what kind of political system they should have," said Mahmood Saiqal, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

At the beginning of 2012, several Afghan political parties met with the U.S. Congress members in Berlin and suggested a Federal form of government in Afghanistan, however, President Karzai reacted strongly against it and the idea was dropped. (Tolo news)