Malek Asharda: from the TV to Libyan Parliament candidacy

By Vanessa Tomassini.

“I am a 35 years old young man, who has grown in Libya, in Benghazi, and travelled more than somewhere… I really dream to see my Nation in progress and prosperity.” No explanations or turns of phrase are needed to understand that this love, between a successful young journalist and his people, will never end. It is the story of Malek Asharda, one of the youngest candidates in the parliamentary elections, who yesterday presented his candidacy in the Benghazi electoral circle.

From journalist and tv presenter to candidate for the Parliamentary elections, what make you decide to run for elections?

“Actually, after ten years of debating and interviews with politicians, especially the last two Parliaments, and after following up what was happening during the last ten years, I understood where are the main disagreements among Libyans that I could talk about if I won, but I could tell that the Parliament’s bylaws, is the main thing, to make everything just typical”.

How do you see the situation of the Libyan media today?

“The Libyan media today still needs getting away from personal wars to be built, then the competition is a everyone’s right”.

What is your best memory and the saddest event in your city, Benghazi?

“The best memory, of course, is when I was on-air, and my colleagues told me that the General Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) announced the liberation of Benghazi from terrorism, as a free city. The saddest was on November, 1st when the commander of the Special Forces, Major General Wanees Bukhamada passed away.”

In your Facebook page you often write about Wanees Bukhamada, did you miss him? Who does he represent for you?

“No one could say to don’t miss Bukhamada, because simply he was loved by everyone, even by his enemies, so how it will be for someone is his friend like me… He represents what I really want to be: a fighter. Like him, not as military but as a politician, I will help the poor people to get their rights.”

As a Libyan young man, what are the main needs of Libyan youth?

“For the Libyan youth is important to focus on education, health, sports and entertainment”.

If you will win a seat in the Parliament, what is the first project you would like to propose and work on?

“If I will be elected as a member of the Libyan House of Representatives, I will work to have equality between men and women, starting from the most important political position. In the executive positions we should have 50 percent covered by women and 50 percent by men. For example, if the President is a woman, the Prime Minister would be a man, and so on”.

What’s your message today to the Libyan people, especially to those who are more concerned about the election result?

“This is our time to decide to have one Parliament and one President, we are the judges. Everyone has the right to run for office, and we have the right to vote and choose whoever we want, without insulting and slandering another party, even if you see it as wrong. The joy of democracy is now spinning.  We should know that the next president, does not have the stick of Moses, and restoration and rebuilding is everyone’s task.  Ask yourself first, then decide who you will vote for, and let go of others, as long as you are confident that you will vote for the one with the most votes. Thank you for giving me this space.”