Key opposition group on brink of collapse, last chance talk

By Abdullah Ghadawi

(Zaman Al Wasl)- The atmosphere of tension has returned to the corridors of the Syrian National Coalition after the recent election battle in which Riad Saif and his supporters wan the presidency.

These elections have left a situation of political polarization described by a leading leader as a deep rift, especially as the group that supported the victory of Riyad Saif headed by the coalition had declared openly that it is against the return of Khalid Khoja to the presidency.

This publicity in the political work within the coalition ignited the conflict between the blocs and the traditional groups that have long dominated the presidential elections and the deep polarization situation between the president and the secretary-general of the coalition and the deputies.

The idea of nominating Riad Seif for the presidency was based on the fact that a person from outside the modern opposition - so to speak - and Saif, the historical opposition figure is to be the center of a new political action that may bring together all parties.

Although Saif was not interested in this position, the presence of only Khoja in the arena pushed many to convince him to run especially since there are many drawbacks to the performance of Khoja in the presidency described by some as a man who takes decisions individually whereas Khoja considers the political thought of the opposition as chaotic and incapable.

The disagreements between Khoja and Saif groups were clear, and because of the parties' adherence to their candidates, the division was a natural result. Even the parties were unable to agree on the Secretary-General. Several names were put forward, but none were agreed upon and hence ambassador of the coalition in Turkey Nazir al-Hakim was declared Secretary-general.

Division within the coalition is no longer a secret, but it has become the talk of most political leaders which prompted a lot to seek to heal the rift after these elections. Several fighres decrcibeed the status quo of thecoalationasthe last chance to remain and that the time now to talk about all the differences and obstacles in the election process. Also, there were different opinions talking about the abolition of the electoral process and work to find another situation away from the elections which divided the opposition into two. Some say that it is the last chance for SNC to maintain this revolutionary political institution.

Each time the coalition division appears at the end of the presidential term. If the elections is the problem, then why not identify the problem and work for a solution in the same way the SNC Rules of Procedure were amended for the presidential term from 6 months to a year. Then why would it be impossible to find a solution for the presidential elections, or this only body with international recognition that emerged from the revolution will collapse.