Two Egyptian opposition parties have launched a new electoral alliance, while another movement has extended its deadline for candidate nominations—marking a rare moment of political motion ahead of parliamentary elections.
The first major move came from the Conservative and the Constitution parties, who unveiled the “Free Road Alliance.” In a joint statement, they framed the coalition as a national duty and a chance to reclaim a political space that has narrowed dramatically in recent years.
The statement blamed widespread political disengagement on the absence of genuine representation. It described the alliance as more than a tactical arrangement, but “a political project based on freedom, transparency, social justice, and the rule of law, meant to rebuild trust between parties and citizens.”
Just days later, the Civil Democratic Movement, a broader coalition of opposition parties, held a strategy session to discuss candidate coordination, now that the movement has received 140 requests to stand on the individual ticket. Former MP Ahmed Tantawy, founder of the still-unrecognized Hope Current Party, was among those present. But the meeting ended without agreement on shared rules or a unified strategy.
Opposition coalitions diverge
The Free Road Alliance is pressing ahead with its own roadmap. Islam Abu Leila, head of the Constitution’s electoral committee, said the alliance with the Conservative Party includes joint campaigning and a unified platform. He stressed that it differs from the Civil Democratic Movement’s more informal structure, which still lacks a formal program.
“We are running together with around 55 candidates,” he explained. “We’ll announce more details at Friday’s press conference.”
Although both alliances participated in the Civil Movement’s meeting, Abu Leila said there has been no direct contact with Hope Current. “We haven’t coordinated with Tantawy or his party,” he added, noting that discussions with other parties like the Justice Party and the Egyptian Social Democratic Party remain on hold.
Gameela Ismail, president of the Constitution Party, described the Free Road Alliance as the product of years of cooperation. She pointed to recent internal polling showing that 70% of members favored election participation, and 77% supported coordination with other civil parties. “This is our transition from protest to politics,” she told Al Manassa.
Hope Current builds from within
While Free Road turns outward, Hope Current is focusing inward. On Saturday, the party’s electoral committee, chaired by Tantawy, extended its nomination deadline by one week.
Mohamed Abou El-Diyar, a founding member, said the move came in response to high demand. “We received around 500 applications. After vetting, we’ve shortlisted 70 candidates who meet our standards for civil democratic change,” he told Al Manassa.
He noted that applicants were motivated by the desire to be an alternative to the existing power structure, not merely its extension. “We are seeking representatives who speak with independence and conviction, not individuals who merely echo directives or serve as intermediaries for others.”
Abou El-Diyar said Hope Current wasn’t invited to the Free Road announcement. “We see it as a narrower alliance that might help build a unified bloc later on,” he explained. “We’re still extending our hands to like-minded parties.”
Their strategy, he added, is twofold: prepare a strong internal slate while continuing efforts to unify the civil opposition.
Divided momentum
Abou El-Diyar also looked back at the last Senate election’s low turnout as a moment of reckoning. “It sent two messages,” he said. “One to political parties; that the people want a credible national project. And one to the authorities; that 83% of voters chose silence.”
“Free and fair elections are the country’s only way out,” he concluded. “Simply declaring our candidacy is already a win. We’re holding on to hope, because it’s what the people deserve.”
According to Article 106 of Egypt’s Constitution, the next parliamentary elections must be held before the end of 2025. The current House of Representatives’ term expires on January 12, 2026, requiring elections to be conducted within the 60 days prior.
