The nascent National Front Party (NFP) began this week to collect the signatures needed for the party to be licensed.

Article 7 of Egypt’s 2011 political parties law requires prospective parties to gather 5,000 signatures from citizens in at least 10 governorates, with a minimum of 300 signatures from each. The signatures must be endorsed and certified at public notary offices.

The NFP has already collected signatures from citizens in Al-Fayoum, Al-Minya and Beni Sweif governorates and will be visiting Cairo, Alexandria and the Nile Delta within the next few days to collect more, former MP and member of the NFP’s constituent assembly Ahmed Raslan told Al-Ahram Weekly.

“Once we get the required number of signatures, we will submit a request to the Political Parties Committee to become an official political party,” said Raslan.

“In today’s volatile circumstances, with dramatic regional developments affecting Egypt’s national security, it is important for our country to have new political parties with platforms that aim to reinforce national unity and stability and push political reform forward.”

Former minister of housing Assem Al-Gazzar announced the formation of the NFP during a conference on 30 December in the New Administrative Capital during which the party’s manifesto was launched under the banner Egypt for All.

In a keynote speech, Al-Gazzar, a member of the NFP’s constituent assembly, said the party’s goal is to contribute to building a “new republic” based on social justice, political reform, the rule of the law and respect for human rights.

“The NFP seeks to offer a transparent, democratic path that aligns with the aspirations of Egyptians for a dignified and prosperous future,” said Al-Gazzar. “The party will focus on safeguarding Egypt’s supreme interests, avoiding narrow-minded political conflicts, and promoting stability in a region boiling over with wars and bloody strife.”

Reflecting on “Egypt’s historical moments”, Al-Gazzar acknowledged the roles of the 25 January and 30 June revolutions and affirmed that Egypt’s Armed Forces are “the steadfast guardian of the nation, ensuring its unity and security”.

According to the party’s manifesto: “We — the founders of the National Front Party — believe that Egypt deserves a prosperous future and in order to achieve this we aim to change the country’s political landscape to be based on active participation from the people and serious commitment to reform. We think Egypt’s political life needs new blood that can promote democracy and achieve the aspirations of all Egyptians.”

“This is not just another political entity. It is a platform committed to responsibility, sacrifice and practical solutions, rejecting rigid ideologies and prioritising the supreme interest of the nation. We will stand up to crises and seek realistic solutions.”

The party does not aim to win a parliamentary majority in the coming elections but seeks to build broad alliances with existing parties. Again, according to the manifesto: “We seek unity rather than to sow division and, because we believe in progressive reform, to provide an alternative for those seeking a more inclusive political future that upholds the supreme interests of the country in the face of the current socio-economic challenges.”

Raslan told the Weekly that Al-Gazzar had been chosen as the founders’ representative during the first meeting of the NFP’s constituent assembly, held on 31 December, and that a legal committee had been formed, headed by former minister of parliamentary Affairs Alaaeddin Fouad, to follow up on the legal steps needed to formally establish the party.

“The NFP’s constituent assembly includes 54 members, many of them former cabinet ministers, former and current MPs, politicians, journalists and businessmen,” said Raslan. “These individuals, along with other founding members, bring a wealth of experience and dedication to advancing political reform.”

Founding members include former speaker of the House of Representatives Ali Abdel-Aal, former minister of agriculture Al-Sayed Al-Quseir, former minister of parliamentary affairs Alaaeddin Fouad, former minister of youth Taher Abu Zeid, former minister of international cooperation Sahar Nasr and former minister of local development Mahmoud Shaarawi.

They are joined by high-profile businessmen such as Mohamed Abul-Enein, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives and owner of the Ceramica Cleopatra group, North Sinai business man Ibrahim Al-Argani and construction magnates Yassin Mansour, Ayman Al-Gamil,  Kamel Abu Ali, Hani Mahmoud and Yasser Abdel-Maqsoud. Journalists who have joined the party include Diaa Rashwan, head of the State Information Service; Emadeddin Hussein, editor-in-chief of Al-Shorouk newspaper; writer Youssef Al-Qaeed; TV host Mohamed Mustafa Sherdy and media expert and MP Farida Al-Shobashi. The constituent assembly also includes chairman of the Actors’ Syndicate Ashraf Zaki, scenarist Medhat Al-Adl and actor Sameh Al-Seriti.

The high-profile make-up of the NFP and seeming fast track licensing has sparked debate in political circles.

“The rhetoric used by the NFP and the members of its constituent assembly clearly show that it is a pro-regime party,” said former independent MP and professor of political science Gamal Zahran.

“The slogans used by the party such as ‘the new republic’ and ‘Egypt for all’ were first coined by President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, and its founding members are former officials who served the regime.”

“It looks like the party has received a green light from the country’s political leadership. This will make it very easy for them to secure the required signatures and be licensed as an official political party in record time.”

Zahran believes recent developments in the region, not least the creation of an Islamist regime in Syria, contributed to the speedy formation and announcement of the NFP.

Al-Gazzar said in a TV interview on Saturday the party will adopt a balanced approach between pro-regime and opposition forces.

“Our goal is to unite the political community during a period that cannot tolerate dispersion,” Al-Gazzar said. He added that preparations for the new party began some time ago and many meetings were held with political figures from across the political spectrum prior to the announcement of the party.

Head of the State Information Service and a founding member of the NFP Diaa Rashwan insisted that the party does not seek to form a government during the coming period. He argued that “there are no loyalist parties in Egypt and that in general there is no such thing as a loyalist party.”

“Parties rule or oppose, and Egypt does not have a ruling party.”

 ”NFP will be an opposition party when it believes there is a need to be so, and a loyalist party when it finds it is a necessity to support the regime,” said Rashwan. He framed the party as a “product of the National Dialogue” aimed at revitalising Egyptian politics.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 9 January, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly