Skip to main content

Head of pro-Sisi coalition denies attempts to take control of Egypt's parliament

Saad al-Gamal, the head of the pro-government Support Egypt coalition, speaks to Al-Monitor about the most pressing issues facing parliament and responds to accusations of trying to take control of the legislature.
support_egypt.jpg
Read in 

The Support Egypt coalition is a political bloc known for its total and unwavering support for President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, as well as unflinching defense of his policies. It entered the last parliamentary elections and won a landslide victory, capturing all 120 seats allotted to party lists. The coalition now holds 315 out of parliament’s 596 seats.

At the same time, numerous charges have been leveled against the coalition. Foremost among these is the charge that it is attempting to seize control of parliament and pass any law desired by the government, and that its internal organs of administration are codifying a dictatorship. Saad al-Gamal, the head of the coalition and chairman of the Arab Affairs Committee in parliament, categorically denied these charges in an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, his first since becoming head of the coalition on May 9.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.