Free Egyptians denies coalition with Salafist Nour Party

ُEgypt - Independent Maghreb Press Agency - The Free Egyptians Party has denied formation a new coalition after the conclusion of Egypt's first three phases of parliamentary elections.

The party, founded by prominent Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris, was the leading player of the liberal Egyptian Bloc during elections for the lower house of parliament in December and January.

The bloc, which included secularist parties such as the Egypt Freedom Party, the Socialist Popular Alliance Party (SPA) and the Egyptian Socialist Party, aimed to check the electoral dominance of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP). After the final ballot on 11 January, reports emerged that the Free Egyptians would enter negotiations with the Nour Party, a hardline Islamist group, to form a new coalition to check FJP influence when parliament is convened. The Free Egyptians, however, have denied the reports, saying they have no intention of establishing any new coalition.

The Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), has seen resounding success in the three phases of elections. Islamists, including the salafist Nour Party and a few other parties, are widely expected to comprise over 70 per cent of the coming parliament.