Political parties and Egyptian figures, belonging to the opposition Democratic Alliance, will hold an emergency meeting on Saturday to take a unified stance from the presidential elections scheduled for end of March.
Democratic Alliance officials told Asharq Al-Awsat that “they will discuss several topics, including boycotting the elections and the fate of Sami Anan who is undergoing a military investigation after expressing willingness to take part in the elections.”
The gatherers are expected to include members of the Constitution Party, which has been established by Mohamed ElBaradei, and the Dignity Party as well as the Egyptian Popular Current.
So far only President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has officially submitted his application to run for a second four-year term. He is expected to enjoy sweeping victory.
Parliament deputy speaker and prominent figure in the nationalist liberal Wafd Party Suleiman Wahdan told Asharq Al-Awsat that the party’s higher council was mulling to propose a presidential candidate.
Egyptian Member of Parliament Mustafa Bakri confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that several candidates will run in the elections.
Head of the Supreme Media Regulatory Council Makram Mohamed Ahmed expected the same scenario.
Parliamentarian Mortada Mansour stated to Asharq Al-Awsat that “Sisi needs a second term because four years are not enough.”
Egyptian Politician Mostafa El-Feki stated to the newspaper that the majority of Egyptians want to grant Sisi a new term to proceed with what he has already started, regardless of any democratic considerations.
Feki attributed the absence of real competition to several issues including “the weakness of parties in Egypt.”
In his turn, Ambassador Massoum Marzouk revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that participants in Saturday’s meeting are expected to announce a boycott of the elections so that Sisi fails to get the required five percent.
Another suggestion is to cast a no vote.
The electoral commission stressed in a statement on Thursday that it stands at equal distance from all candidates and acts impartially based on the constitution.
