Tsvangirai ready to join a coalition as long as he is the presidential candidate

And guided and informed by our social democratic Values of:

Social Justice

Freedom & Liberty

Equality

Solidarity

The Guiding Principles for a coalition

(a)    A common ground amongst the parties on the minimum conditions under which the next elections must be held

(b)    A Common ground amongst the parties on a socio-political economic transformation agenda and shared National Vision anchored on the true ideals of the liberation struggle for the benefit of all Zimbabweans and those who live in the country.

(c)     A Deepening and entrenchment of democracy inclusive of the respect for human rights, the rule of law and the right of Zimbabweans to freely elect a government of their choice.

(d)    A non-negotiable position that the coalition processes must be driven by Zimbabweans for Zimbabweans

2.2 The Form of Electoral Alliance We Seek

There are two variants of election pacts. The pre and post election pacts.

The MDC is persuaded by a People Based Pre-Election Pact for the following reasons:

(a)    we are a People Based Party with an electoral history and subscribe to the democratic principle that the authority to govern is derived from the people

(b)    the current challenges in Zimbabwe can best be tackled by a People Based pre-election Pact in that it minimises the unknowns by providing an equitable and scientific and objective basis for approaching the election based on known strengths of political leaders and parties nationally and in given electoral districts.

2.3 Institutional Framework of the Coalition

In light of the above, the party is available to cooperate with other parties based on the following internationally accepted and tested principles namely that:

(a)  the coalition partners will field one Presidential candidate and one Parliamentary and one Local government candidate per contested seat.

(b)  the Presidential candidate must be selected on the basis of the best individual who can win an election for the coalition against the incumbent.

Continued next page

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