Former presidential candidate Abdel Moneim Abouel Fotouh said in a meeting with other political figures that the National Salvation Front must purify itself of former regime remnants before his party allies with it, sources who attended the meeting said.
The sources, who requested anonymity, said Abouel Fotouh suggested the formation of a new revolutionary front without feloul, or regime remnants, to face the state of division and polarization, and to propose a genuine revolutionary agenda on which everyone can agree.
The sources said that Mohamed ElBaradei, longtime reform advocate and head of the Constitution Party, said he would discuss the proposal and that he supports the idea of expanding the front to include all political parties, except those that support the presidency.
Amr Khaled, the leader of the Egypt Party, who also attended the meeting, would coordinate with other political groups and public figures to join the new front, the sources said.
ElBaradei has decided to form a committee to choose candidates in the next parliamentary elections under his direct supervision, and in coordination with the parties with which he would form coalitions.
He also charged the party’s secretary general with completing the structures of the party branches in various governorates by 15 January.
In a statement Sunday, ElBaradei said his party aims to create an appropriate and legitimate political climate for it to run in the elections and win the largest possible number of seats, to be able to achieve a better future for Egypt and complete the revolution’s objectives.
ElBaradei seeks to strengthen the main opposition coalition, the National Salvation Front, to challenge Islamists candidates, who won about two-thirds of seats in the last parliamentary elections.
Political figures formed the front to counter President Mohamed Morsy’s 22 November constitutional declaration, and later said it would form a joint electoral coalition. Among its leaders are former presidential candidates Hamdeen Sabbahi and Amr Moussa, a former Arab League chief who had served as foreign minister under ousted President Hosni Mubarak.
ElBaradei met last week between Abouel Fotouh, leader of the Strong Egypt Party, to negotiate with him over joining the front.
