The Conference and the Arab Nasserist parties announced their support for President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in the upcoming presidential elections, bringing the number of political blocs backing his reelection to five. Those also include, the Future of a Nation, which holds the majority in the parliament, the Free Egyptians and the Homeland Defenders. The head of the National Elections Authority, Walid Hamza, said the candidacies for the presidential elections were likely to be opened soon, after the completion of the logistical preparations for the electoral process, and the establishment of international and local monitoring regulations. The deputy head of the Conference Party, Dr. Magdi Morshed, said during televised statements on Friday that the party’s decision to support Sisi for a new presidential term was based on a ‘full conviction’ of the importance of maintaining the political leadership’s endeavor ‘to build a new republic.’ The Nasserist Arab Democratic Party also announced its support for Sisi ‘to complete the march of achievements… despite the difficult global economic conditions.’ In addition to Sisi, four potential candidates are likely to run for the presidential race. Those include, former MP Ahmed Tantawi, president of the Independence Movement Ahmed Fadali, head of the Wafd party Abdel-Sanad Yamama, and the Republican People’s Party chief, Hazem Omar. In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, MP Mostafa Bakry, pointed to a national consensus among the parties over Sisi’s reelection. While Bakri confirmed that opening the door for candidacy ‘will take place within a few weeks,’ he said that this step will be linked to ‘important measures,’ including ‘judicial supervision of the elections, local and international oversight, as well as media coverage.’

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon