TV presenter Ramy Radwan moderated the meeting, which featured prominent figures, including former agriculture minister Sayed El-Quseir, former housing minister Asem El-Gazzar, General Coordinator of Egypt's National Dialogue Diaa Rashwan, and filmmaker Medhat El-Adl.

The organizers also invited editors-in-chief, media experts, intellectuals, and artists to attend the discussion.

Under the motto “Let’s meet … Let’s talk … Let’s share,” the meeting commenced with the moderator thanking the businessmen who sponsored the discussion sessions, which began a few days ago. Those businessmen include Yassin Mansour and Ibrahim Al-Arjani.

During the meeting, Rashwan noted that businessmen's involvement in supporting political entities is governed by law.

However, Rashwan, El-Quseir, and El-Gazzar categorically denied that Al-Arjani — chairman of the Arab Tribes Union (ATU) — would be a member of the new entity.

Al-Arjani, who chairs several businesses, including Misr Sinai Company for Industrial Development and Investment, attended a meeting earlier in December to discuss the new entity's plans.

He stated that the new political party is being created out of a sense of national responsibility and reflects the growing role of Sinai’s Arab tribes in preserving Egypt’s national security.

Meanwhile, El-Quseir emphasized that the constitution and the law define the parameters for donations and funding for political entities. “Those mentioned at the beginning of the meeting are loyal businessmen who wish to sponsor the dialogue sessions we initiated with various segments of society,” he added.

What is the new party?
 

Rashwan stated that the new party will not resemble the socialist unions created after the 1952 revolution or the national party established during the era of former president Hosni Mubarak.

He emphasized that the party “does not seek a majority or even aspire to govern.”

Furthermore, he clarified that the new entity would act as a “stage” toward building the new republic.

Rashwan also explained that the group would not be bound by ideological constraints or serve as a pro- or anti-government entity.

Instead, it will unite around a single goal: restoring confidence in the political process under the banner of 30 June, according to a news report published on Monday by Alaa Alghatrifi, editor-in-chief of Al-Masry Al-Youm, who attended the meeting.

“We are not the government, nor do we aspire to be. Our priority is to enhance political life during this transitional phase,” Chairman of the State Information Service (SIS) Rashwan reiterated, according to Alghatrifi.

Electoral rights

Rashwan also discussed the new entity's plans related to electoral rights, saying they aim to form broader coalitions. “It is an entity that does not seek to erase other political identities,” he stressed.

When asked how it could be a political party without seeking power, he replied that it could serve as a platform for executives in a government that works for the people's benefit. “It will be a realistic party, very realistic,” he affirmed.

Rashwan, who was part of the 50-member committee that amended the Egyptian constitution in 2014, explained that defining Egypt's political system, which combines several systems, was challenging at the time.

He added that, amid the current circumstances, no single party can form a majority. Therefore, the new entity will resort to political coalitions.

El-Quseir also noted that the new alliance aims to support political life and increase the percentage of citizens' participation.

“We want to activate the political life, not exclude anyone,” he emphasized, referring to other parties.

According to the SIS, Egypt has 87 licensed political parties. Fourteen of them hold seats in the current parliament: Mostakbal Watan with 315 seats, the People’s Republican Party with 50 seats, Al-Wafd with 26 seats, Homat Watan with 23 seats, and the Islamist Nour Party with seven seats.

Dealing with economic challenges
 

The meeting also addressed Egypt's economic challenges, with El-Gazzar emphasizing the need for realistic and strategic solutions.

He highlighted the expansion of Egypt's urban area from seven to 14 percent, the establishment of the New Administrative Capital, and the development of slum areas as examples of needed solutions.

El-Gazzar noted that these achievements may not be fully realized due to their strategic dimension.

Additionally, he stated that the new group aims to introduce innovative ideas and rely on scientific methods to address problems.

“Our goal is not power; rather, we aim to engage with society and reach every Egyptian in the country,” he said, according to Alghatrifi.

Media freedom
 

Discussions also touched upon media freedom, particularly the rise of unprofessional voices in the realm of social media.

Rashwan emphasized the need to broaden the public sphere or, more specifically, “the safe” public sphere, as he described it.

He further indicated that the new party would support the media and help it regain its leadership role, noting that journalism is essential to combating rumours.

He also called for issuing a law on the free circulation of information, as outlined in the constitution.

However, during the meeting, El-Adl expressed his reservations about Rashwan's concept of the “safety” public sphere.

“We need to define what safety means, as it is a very elastic term,” El-Adl said, urging for supporting free media.

He further outlined his conditions for joining the new party, stating that his involvement would depend on the entity’s commitment.

“If the new party lacks the will to make a difference in people’s lives, I will leave immediately, but if it genuinely aims to impact lives, I’m in,” he affirmed.

In addition, El-Adle criticized what he calls the excessive censorship of cinema and drama.

“Art won’t destroy the country," he said. “I want freedom in art, and we all understand the limits as we recognize national principles,” he expressed.