National Union (Egypt)

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National Union
الاتحاد القومي
General SecretaryAnwar Sadat
(1957–1959)
Kamal el-Din Hussein
(1959–1962)
ChairmanGamal Abdel Nasser
Founded1957 (1957)
Dissolved1962 (1962)
Preceded byLiberation Rally
Succeeded byArab Socialist Union
HeadquartersCairo, Egypt
IdeologyArab nationalism
Arab socialism
Pan-Arabism
Anti-zionism
Anti-ikhwanism
Republicanism
Political positionCatch-all

The National Union (Arabic: الاتحاد القومي al-Ittihâd al-Kawmi) was the only permitted party in the United Arab Republic,[1][2] the political union between Egypt and Syria that existed from 1958 to 1961.

The National Union was founded in Egypt on November 3, 1957, shortly before the founding of the United Arab Republic, by President Gamal Abdel Nasser as a successor to the Liberation Rally.[3] After the formation of the UAR. In 1958 the National Union also became the only legal political movement in Syria. In the latter country, the National Union was controlled by Ba'athists and anti-communists.

The main objective of the National Union was to mobilize the population behind Nasser's policies, which consisted of Pan-Arabism, reforms and the building of a welfare state. However, the National Union did not become a real mass movement, certainly not in Syria. The latter country withdrew from the UAR in September 1961. In 1962 Nasser replaced the National Union with the Arab Socialist Union (ASU).

References

  1. ^ Drs. Ch. Jansen: Encyclopedia of the Middle East, Text and Explanation: Actuale Parool Pockets 6, Parool A'dam 1969, p. 93
  2. ^ A. Goldschmidt Jr., R. Johnston: Historical Dictionary of Egypt, Scarecrow Press Lanham, Maryland / Oxford 20033, p. 293
  3. ^ Goldschmidt, Johnston 2003:293