Opposition politician Ahmed Tantawy announced that his nascent political party, the Hope Current, will participate in Egypt’s upcoming parliamentary elections. The decision follows a meeting of the party’s founding committee on Sunday, where three election-related resolutions were adopted.
Tantawy first declared the formation of the Hope Current on Oct. 27, 2024, commenting, “We’ve always committed to peaceful, constitutional political struggle, even in the most difficult times.”
Seated among 13 party members, Tantawy announced in a video statement that the party’s founding committee had resolved to support its own candidates running as independents in individual constituencies for the House of Representatives election.
The party will begin accepting candidacy applications from its founding members and others who “share the same dream, effort, and goal of building a state of law and institutions that protects and respects citizens’ rights and safeguards the nation.”
According to Tantawy, the party’s decision was based on a survey of its members, which received “a decent response rate.” Of those who participated, 63.1% strongly supported running, with many expressing interest in volunteering for campaign teams. Another 15.1% backed participation with reservations, while 12.3% rejected it outright.
The party will soon announce the formation of a committee to oversee candidacy applications, along with guidelines for vetting potential candidates, especially in cases of multiple bids for the same seat.
As the party’s chief founding representative, Tantawy has been tasked with reaching out to other parties “that wish to run independently in the coming elections and present themselves to the electorate as a real alternative to the ruling authority, not its extension.”
This move, he stated, would lay the groundwork for an electoral alliance. Its primary aim, he explained, would be to establish a civilian democratic alternative that prioritizes voters' right to genuine choices and delivers a performance distinct from past years, with the aspiration of realizing their dreams on the ground.
Tantawy announces decisions on parliamentary participation, July 13, 2025Changing the rules
Regarding the formation of that alliance, Tantawy told Al Manassa that their decision to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections was not aimed at “adapting to the unjust rules established by the authorities regarding elections,” but rather “to struggle to change them and present a real alternative to the Egyptian people.”
Asked about the timing of his party’s announcement, which came after the close of registration for Senate elections, Tantawy said his party has no interest in the Senate, arguing that “it’s not a real election.” He cited the fact that one-third of the upper chamber is appointed, another third is elected through effectively uncontested closed lists, and the final third comes from very large individual districts.
In May, parliament approved amendments to the laws governing the House and Senate elections and districting. Introduced by majority leader Abdel Hadi El-Qasabi together with over one-tenth of MPs, only five MPs voted against the amendments, which retained the closed list and individual seat system.
Under the constitution, parliamentary elections must be held within 60 days of the House’s official term ending in Jan. 2026, placing the vote no later than Nov. 2025.
“The larger the electoral district,” Tantawy said, “the greater the influence of political money, security interference, and the privileges offered by institutions in favor of regime-aligned candidates.”
He added, “In recent years, regime candidates have been joined by a very strange phenomenon, functional opposition candidates. They’re designed to appear as opposition but play a backup role to the regime whenever elections roll around, always available when called upon.”
Last Wednesday, the National Election Authority closed the window for Senate candidacy. The National List for Egypt submitted candidacy applications in all four districts, with Nation’s Future Party dominating the list with over 40 candidates.
Asked what distinguishes the upcoming House elections, Tantawy responded, “In our current moment, we need people who engage in politics with a spirit of struggle.” He emphasized that this struggle includes “confronting the rules set by the regime for elections and presenting the people with a real alternative.”
He also acknowledged doubts that the authorities would allow his party’s candidates to challenge regime-backed nominees, saying, “This alternative may not be given its full rights or opportunity.”
Nevertheless, he called out the authorities, saying, “If you’re confident, why resort to cracking down on any candidate not coordinating with you? Let real opposition have its space.”
The party has begun accepting applications from its founding members and is currently supporting seven initial candidates across six governorates: Cairo, Qalyoubia, Dakahliya, Beheira, Assiut, and Minya. Tantawy confirmed that the party remains open to forming a broader electoral alliance with parties and individuals who share its vision and seek to compete “freely and independently, without external direction or submission.”
Tantawy was released from prison in late May after completing a sentence in the “popular endorsements” case arising from his 2023 presidential bid.
A founding member of the Karama (Dignity) Party, Tantawy served in the House of Representatives from 2015 to 2020. He lost his seat in the 2020 elections and returned to the public spotlight in March 2023 when he announced a run for the 2024 presidential race, which he later withdrew from after failing to secure the required endorsements.
