Egypt is preparing to hold parliamentary elections at the end of this year, the third under President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
These elections come amid the country’s economic development efforts, as Cairo accelerates infrastructure development projects to open development corridors beyond the narrow Nile Valley and the ancient Delta Triangle, toward the desert and the northern and eastern coasts.
The largest Arab country in terms of population has a long-standing parliamentary experience, which began in the second half of the nineteenth century (1866 AD). Parliamentary elections have always been an important event, as they are a laboratory for forming the highest legislative authority in the country.
Diplomacy magazine interviewed veteran Egyptian politician Nagi El-Shehabi, who heads The El-Giel Democratic Party, to explore his vision for the upcoming elections scheduled for November. He participated in the state-sponsored national dialogue, and his party presented some visions aimed at paving the way for the integration of medium- and small-power political parties to achieve consensus parliaments.
This party has a civic bent and has visions regarding Cairo’s relations with the capitals of the African Nile Basin countries, in addition to its adoption of a merger project between Egypt, Libya, and Sudan under the name: “The Golden Triangle”.
The following is the text of the interview:
What is your perception of the current political climate in Egypt, given that the majority of Moroccan Diplomacy magazine’s readers are non-Egyptians?
The political climate in Egypt has witnessed rapid positive developments since the June 30, 2013 revolution, which represented a pivotal moment in the Egyptian nation-state’s restoration of its status and stability after dangerous attempts to hijack it by forces that do not believe in a civil state.
During this period, the role of Egyptian national political parties became increasingly prominent, including The El-Giel Democratic Party, which clearly stood with the state and its national institutions in the face of grave challenges, most notably attempts to spread chaos and dismantle the state from within, as part of regional and international schemes targeting the unity and stability of the Arab peoples.
It can be said that political life in Egypt has entered a new phase of positivity and political openness with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s call for a comprehensive national dialogue. The dialogue’s public sessions began without any red lines or exclusion of any party, with the exception of those whose hands are stained with Egyptian blood or who are involved in terrorism or violence.
This national dialogue, with its broad participation from across the political and societal spectrum, opened the door to a more open and responsible climate, restored the role of political parties and civil society organizations, and reinforced the notion that differences of opinion do not mean disagreement over the state or its institutions.
Overall, Egypt is confidently moving toward building a new republic, one whose most important components are pluralism, dialogue, and broad political representation. We at The El-Giel Party consider this a true step toward establishing stable and informed democracy in the region.
What is the El-Giel Party’s position on the House of Representatives Law and the division of electoral districts recently passed by Parliament?
The current House of Representatives Law, with its recent amendments, reflects the will of the majority parties in Parliament. These parties—according to the democratic parliamentary system in Egypt and other countries that adopt it—have the right to pass laws and amendments they deem appropriate, given their voting majority.
Parliament decided to adopt an electoral system that combines the closed absolute list and the individual system, with a percentage of 50% for each.
The El-Giel Party, in compliance with the Constitution and respect for legislative decisions, calls for the absolute closed list adopted by the majority parties to be expanded to include the largest possible number of political parties, so that they are not excluded or marginalized.
In this way, we achieve one of the most important goals of the proportional system, which is to enable various parties—especially small and medium-sized parties—to achieve parliamentary representation in accordance with their actual standing on the street. This, in turn, restores balance to political life and ensures broader participation in the legislative and oversight process.
In press statements, you called for a new electoral law that expresses the will of the people and reflects political pluralism. What are the broad outlines of this law you would like to see passed?
We, at The El-Giel Democratic Party, believe that any electoral law must reflect Article 5 of the Egyptian Constitution, which clearly states that the state system is based on political and party pluralism. This can only be achieved through genuine and effective representation of the largest possible number of political parties in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
From this perspective, we believe that the election law should be an incentive to implement this constitutional article. It should contribute to supporting party pluralism, not marginalizing or diminishing it. It should provide opportunities, especially for national parties that stand behind the Egyptian state and its national institutions in the battle to preserve national security and confront all the political, economic, and social challenges facing the nation.
The broad outlines of this law—as we envision it—include:
- Relying on an open or unconditional proportional list system, allowing for the representation of the largest possible segment of parties based on their true influence on the public
- Achieving fair geographic and demographic representation through the division of districts
- Ensuring full judicial oversight of the electoral process to enhance transparency and credibility
- Confronting political money and setting realistic and effective limits on electoral spending
- Encouraging youth and women’s participation through supportive and uncomplicated procedures
We demand an electoral law that puts political life back on the right track, provides Egyptians with a parliament that reflects their true will, and serves as a strong partner in building the new republic on the foundations of pluralism, balance, and mutual respect among national institutions and forces.
What is your position on the current political parties law in Egypt?.. Why are you calling for a comprehensive review of it?
We, in The El-Giel Democratic Party, believe that Political Parties Law No. 40 of 1977 is a good law, especially with regard to ensuring that political parties are not dissolved by administrative decision. This law prevents the Party Affairs Committee from making such decisions, and restricts this decision to the administrative judiciary, represented by the Supreme Administrative Court of the State Council. This reflects a great respect for the constitution and the rule of law.
When we called for a comprehensive review of the law, we did so not to diminish its essence, but rather out of a belief that laws, by their very nature, require periodic reviews and updates in keeping with the development of society and the requirements of the current political stage.
We, at The El-Giel Party, believe that any development of the political parties law must take place within the framework of a broad national dialogue, with the participation of political party leaders, civil society organizations, and constitutional law professors at Egyptian universities. This will ensure national consensus on any amendment and strengthen the role of political parties in supporting the state and its institutions without raising any sensitivities or adopting positions that could be misunderstood.
Our goal in this context is to support multi-partyism and activate the role of national parties in political life, as they are a pillar of the democratic system and an effective partner in preserving the stability and progress of the Egyptian state.
