Environmental and Green Political Parties in the Middle East Focusing on Iraq and Egypt

• In Event: Environmental Policy & Politics

Abstract

Green and environmental political parties in Egypt and Iraq, namely the Egyptian Green Party and the Iraqi National Green Party, have struggled to shape policies and policy-making. Nonetheless, environmental movements and green parties have increased their presence and mobilised over the last two decades. Some studies, such as Sowers (2019), examine a few aspects of environmental activism in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The latter is understudied and academic studies on green political parties in the MENA region need to be conducted. This project explores the inception of the environmental and green political parties in Egypt and Iraq and how they challenge governmental policies. The study scrutinises their political opportunities and challenges in the political systems and whether the parties' activism has shaped governmental policies and the ruling parties' and actors' debates. The paper utilises conceptual frameworks developed by Spoon (2011), Copus et al. (2009) and Herzog (1987) on minor and small parties' characteristics, types, evolution, challenges and how they develop certain strategies to survive. The project relies on resources such as interviews, the political parties' websites and documents, and local media outlets on the parties. The clashes between governments' interests, state capitalism, political participation and environmental activism have been a key emerging issue within the region's politics. This paper explores these dynamics, focusing on the role of green political parties in Iraq and Egypt.

Author

• Zana Gul, The University of Stirling