After the outbreak of civil war in 1992, the party split and the faction now representing the party joined the Islamic Renaissance Party in arms against the government. For political purposes, the party recently withdrew from its partnership with the Islamists. Having split into factions, the party now is weak. The centrist Justice Party failed to register a candidate for the presidential elections. It says that a rule of law is its first priority.
Some intellectuals support it.
The opposition parties, unclear in their programs and fragmented, seem more concerned about gaining power than advancing any coherent programs. By contrast, the People's Democratic Party seems focused and clear as to its purpose. In addition, the other parties must leap hurdles merely to register and campaign. The president's control over the upper house already is assured. He directly appoints eight of the 33 deputies, and regional bodies whose members he selects appoint the rest.