A cloud of uncertainty looms over Egypt’s political parties as negotiations continue over representation in the unified electoral list for the upcoming Senate elections, expected within the next three months.
Nation’s Future Party is leading the coalition talks, which have sparked internal friction among participating parties.
On Saturday, the National Elections Authority announced it will reveal the official schedule for the Senate elections at a press conference next Tuesday.
Multiple party leaders and MPs involved in the talks told Al Manassa that Nation's Future has claimed the lion’s share of seats on the closed-list ballot. It is followed by Homeland Defenders, then the relatively new National Front, and the Republican People’s Party.
The Democratic Path Alliance, comprising opposition parties, is currently negotiating for 15 of the 100 seats allocated to the list.
While the general seat distribution among blocs appears settled, sources say the final numbers remain fluid, with last-minute changes expected before candidate registration opens.
Some prominent figures from the current Senate may move to the House of Representatives, including Ahmed Abdel Gawad, vice president and secretary-general of Nation's Future.
Under Egypt’s electoral system, the Senate comprises 300 members: 100 elected through closed-list proportional representation, 100 through individual races, and 100 appointed by the president.
Wafd Party sidelined
The liberal Wafd Party had initially declared it would nominate 27 candidates for the list. But a party insider told Al Manassa that talks have yielded far fewer seats. “If we get five, we’ll consider it a win,” said a Wafd MP.
Confirmed nominees include Hani Sarie-Eldin, chair of the Senate’s Financial Affairs Committee, current Senator Hazem El-Gendy, and the party’s parliamentary bloc leader Tarek Abdel Aziz.
Two sources also mentioned the nomination of “an unknown woman,” while the candidacy of Deputy Speaker Bahaa Eldin Abou Shoka remains undecided.
These five would make up half of Wafd’s current 10-seat presence in the Senate.
Democratic Path seeks a foothold
The Democratic Path Alliance, which includes the Social Democratic Party, Justice Party, and Reform and Development Party, is also competing for list inclusion.
A source said each party submitted seven nominees. “If each of us secures five seats, it’ll be a success,” they added.
Meanwhile, Ehab El-Kharrat, deputy chairman of the Social Democratic Party, told Al Manassa the current agreement includes five party candidates. He noted the party’s Higher Committee approved joining the list with 65 in favor, 28 against, and 38 abstaining.
These numbers, he said, reflect lower support compared to the 2020 parliamentary elections.
In 2020, the Social Democrats and Reform and Development each had three candidates on the Senate list, while Justice had none. Negotiations are ongoing to secure fair representation for Justice, particularly as fewer seats are being offered to parties outside the core coalition.
Civil Movement eyes House elections
Meanwhile, the Civil Democratic Movement has yet to decide whether it will contest the Senate elections. Spokesperson Walid El-Amary told Al Manassa that most applications the group has received have been for House seats.
“We haven’t made a decision yet. We need to see who is serious about running for the Senate,” he said. The movement is focusing its efforts on the House elections. “We’ll participate unless we’re prevented,” he added.
The Senate, led by Speaker Abdel Wahab Abdel Razeq, concluded its fifth and final legislative session last Monday. The National Elections Authority is expected to announce the candidate registration period and full election schedule during Tuesday’s press conference.
