A group of Egyptian intellectuals have launched an initiative to hold a debate between old and new old and new political parties on Saturday. It will be the first debate of its kind in Egypt.

The goal is to compare the political programs of the parties and their aims for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Three new political parties and one old party will take part in the debates, represented by their presidents and high officials. Social Democratic Party (under construction) will be represented by Mohamed Abul Ghar, Ehab el-Kharat and Ziad el-Elmi. The Free Egyptians Party (under construction) will be represented by Naguib Sawiris, Hussein Hareedy, Reeham Hamza, and Mohamed Eid. The Justice Party (under construction) will be represented by Mustafa el-Naggar and Ahmed Shokri.

One of Egypt’s oldest parties, the Democratic Front Party, will also participate in the debate, and will be represented by Osama Ghazali Harb, writer Skoaina Fouad, and Mohamed Nosseir.

Mohamed Ghonim, founder of the movement organizing the debates, said they aim to inform the public about the important secular parties, the main differences between them, how they aim to form a united front to protect civil rights, and the main strategies for their upcoming election campaigns, including which constituencies they plan to nominate candidates for, the number of founders of each party, geographical areas each party will target, etc.

Ghonim added that several civil society organizations
would be taking part in the debates, including Enlightened Egypt, Citizen Militias for the protection of Alexandria and many others.

The four parties participating in the debates were chosen by popular vote at a symposium of political parties and civil society organizations last month.