After days of reaction by some circles affiliated with President Hamid Karzai, this time he himself reacted to the proposed plan for initiating a national debate on changing the current individual-based presidential system into a parliamentary democracy that is accountable to the people. President Karzai outpoured his reaction this new campaign on Saturday, January 21, 2012 as he opened Afghan Parliament to begin its second year after the winter recess. Mr. Karzai said, "I would like to emphasize that Afghanistan is not a political laboratory of foreigners.
Over the last 40 years, our country was through several kinds of political systems. We do not allow a new political experience to be put to test in our country." The president laid further stress that the current system of Afghanistan has been established based on popular will and he would be ready to give his life to safeguard it. Afghan people have experienced him over the last ten years so there is no surprise to see that such kind of strange behavior and statement is coming out of him.
Earlier on January 9, 2012, the leaders of National Front of Afghanistan, an alliance of several political parties and groups with millions of supporters, in a seven-point plan proposed ways to return the power to the people and include the people into the decision-making process by beginning to discuss the change in the current centralized form of power as they said, "We call for a national dialogue on a revised Constitution to correct the inherent flaws in the present power structure by decentralizing the political system, making it more compatible with the diverse political, social and cultural nature of Afghanistan. The Afghan people deserve and need a parliamentary form of democracy instead of a personality-centered Presidential system."
In the meanwhile, the National Coalition led by Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, the former foreign minister and president Karzai's viable opponent in the 2009 presidential election, also espouses and supports the parliamentary democracy to be established in the country to substitute the existing presidential system, which has brought about one of the world's most centralized power structure and remains prone to corruption.
Mr. President must understand that the ongoing surge in support for decentralization of power comes from the popular will and decision too. So he must not play with the wisdom of the people when he feels that power is returned to the people and is taken away from him and his corrupt network.
Afghan people witness and experience on a day-to-day basis that how the current system has produced a kleptocratic government plagued with inefficiency. They also know that how a president of autocratic nature easily puts aside the constitution when he feels that his favorite candidates are not elected to the parliament.
Afghan people have also realized that how an erratic president calls their enemies his brothers without feeling any obligation to consult the nation for any decision that affects the whole nation. In the meanwhile, president Karzai must know that one or another form of democratic system is put in place to manage a society.
People can choose the one that best suits their multi-ethnic country. There is no need for president Karzai to sacrifice his precious life for a political system that does not accommodate the interests and demands of all identity groups and people. If he wants to sacrifice his life for his own vested interests and those of few kleptocrats, then he will face a popular will and decision.