Protesters started arriving in Tahrir Square Friday morning to participate in another protest that has taken on a celebratory tone following the dismissal of Ahmed Shafiq’s government. Former Transport Minister Essam Sharaf, one of the candidates nominated by the Coalition of the Youth of the Revolution, was tasked with forming the new government.
The newly-appointed prime minister announced through state-run newspapers and Facebook that he would go to Tahrir Square to talk to the protesters in an attempt to respond to the people and to assert that he stands with the revolution.
The Coalition of the Youth of the Revolution called for today’s protest, entitled “The people want to continue the journey.” Notably, the youth of Tahrir were divided between two camps; some argued that their demands had been met and called for an end to the sit-in after today’s protest. The other camp viewed the removal of Shafiq’s government as a “partial victory” and called for protests until all demands have been met.
The coalition issued a statement reiterating a number of demands, including the need to dissolve the state security apparatus and restructure the Ministry of Interior under the leadership of a civilian minister. Other demands included the release of political prisoners, the urgent and public trial of all those who issued orders or carried out acts of violence during the revolution, the prosecution of corrupt officials, and the holding of early elections for municipal councils. Finally, the coalition called for social and economic demands including the implementation of a court decision to increase the minimum wage and set a maximum wage with a 1:15 ratio, dissolving the existing trade union federation and reelecting a new federation that represents Egyptians through their independent unions.
The coalition stressed the need to extend the six-month transitional period under the leadership of a presidential council, and to postpone parliamentary and presidential elections, the dates of which are being set by the Supreme Council of Armed Forces. In addition, the coalition called for new public freedoms and an end to the implementation of the emergency law. They also want to ensure the right to establish political parties through notification.
The statement welcomed any potential assistance that the coalition could offer the new government as it works to implement the goals of the revolution and restore calm in Egypt.
