The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Arab Socialist Union

(ASU, Al-Ittihad al-ishtiraki al-arabi), a mass political organization in the Arab Republic of Egypt, uniting peasants, workers, members of the intelligentsia, and representatives of national capital. The decision to create the ASU was made at the National Congress of Popular Forces in 1962. The ASU’s original organizations were established in May 1963; 1963 is considered the year of the union’s founding. The union’s political program is the Charter of National Action, adopted June 30, 1962, which proclaims the rejection of the capitalist path of development and sets as Egypt’s goal “the construction of socialism, with consideration for the concrete conditions in the country.” The union’s first statute was published in December 1962. The new statute, adopted in May 1968, appoints the ASU’s tasks as follows: “to carry out the socialist revolution, liquidate the consequences of capitalist and feudal rule, and struggle against foreign influence and the overthrown right wing.” The supreme organ of the union is the General National Congress, which is empowered for six years: the first session was held in September 1968. Between sessions of the congress, the union’s supreme organ is its Executive Committee. The new statute introduced the principle of democratic centralism into the union’s organizations. The ASU has approximately 6.5 million members (1970); Gamal Abdul Nasser was its chairman. Anwar Sadat was elected chairman in 1970 after Nasser’s death. [2–439–3; updated]

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References in periodicals archive

The [project was then discussed by the Arab Socialist Union on various level up top the Higher Executive Committee.

Gazette Reminiscences

"The Prosecutor General is aware that the Press Syndicate's law is outdated, as it states that approval for the practice of journalism comes from the Arab Socialist Union, which was the ruling system of Gamal Abdel Nasser," said young member of the Press Syndicate Mahmoud Kamel, who admitted the law needed to be changed.

Al-Bayan newspaper case sparks journalists, prosecution dispute

In Hama province, the Arab Socialist Union Party organized a celebration in support of the elections, while the people of al-Haffeh town in Lattakia countryside staged a rally in support of national unity, the elections, and the Army.

Activities in support of presidential elections continue across the country

Indeed, this regime had preserved, with both Presidents Gamal Abdel Nasser and Anwar Sadat, its fundamental characteristics, most importantly that of being a military regime that abhors and combats diversity and represses public freedoms, establishing the theory of the leading party (the Arab Socialist Union under Abdel Nasser), which turned into the ruling party (the National Democratic Party under Sadat when launching the appearance of diversity) later inherited by Mubarak - with all that this involves in terms of client relationships with civilian segments of society, allowing for all forms of financial and political corruption.

A Return to Seven Decades Past

This was evident from the speeches made by two of the four Ministers who spoke to the extraordinary session of the National Congress of the Arab Socialist Union on the evening of December 2, 1968.

Gazette Reminiscences

Under the articles of the Charter, the Arab Socialist Union (ASU) was formed.

From national bourgeois development to Infitah: Egypt 1952-1992

The building, which for decades was the seat of power in Egypt, first served as the headquarters for Gamal Abdel Nasser's ruling Arab Socialist Union. It then became the NDP's headquarters under former presidents Anwar El-Sadat and Hosni Mubarak, and was set ablaze on 28 January 2011 in a landmark event of the 25 January Revolution that led to Mubarak's toppling.

NDP headquarters prepared for demolition

The parties participating in the meeting are Al-Bth Arab Socialist Party, Syrian Social Nationalist Party, Unified Syrian Communist Party, Arab Socialist Union Party, National Pact Party, Unionist Socialist Democratic Party, Arab Democratic Union Party, Democratic Vanguard Party, Popular Will Party, Solidarity Party, and National Democratic Party.

Eleven parties and number of political figures hold meeting in Lattakia

The Arab Socialist Union was the major political party during the era of former president Gamal Abdel Nasser, which adhered to the principles of Arab socialism and Nasserism.

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The Arab Socialist Union Party also issued a statement condemning the terrorist attack, saying that this crime adds up to the crimes of Takfiri groups who aren't deterred by religious or human values.

Syrian Political Parties, Unions and Organizations Denounce Terrorist Bombing in Damascus

In turn, the Arab Socialist Union Party said that the terrorist bombing reflects the frustration and defeat of the terrorist groups, describing it as an attempt to hinder dialogue and the national efforts to solve the crisis.

People's Assembly, Syrian Unions and Parties Condemnal-Thawra St. Terrorist Bombing in Damascus

The party was established in 1978 when late President Anwar Sadat split the Arab Socialist Union into three separate political organizations representing the right, center and left wings of the political spectrum.

Meet the players: The National Democratic Party (NDP)