Egyptian political groups prefer holding presidential elections first, the London-based Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper reported on Saturday, adding that the Salafi-led Nour Party, which calls for holding parliamentary elections first expressed flexibility in agreement with others.
The newspaper quoted informed sources as saying that Interim President Adly Mansour is likely to “take two decisions by end of meeting [with the political groups] by end of the month to decide the electoral system and time for presidential or parliamentary elections ahead of the referendum on constitution.”
Mansour met with youth representatives during first sessions of national dialogue to reach consensus over the roadmap and priority of parliamentary or presidential elections.
Sources told Al-Sharq Al-Awsat that there is consensus among the political forces to hold presidential elections ahead of parliamentary one.
“Despite insistence by Nour Party and Salafi Dawa on sticking to the roadmap and holding parliamentary elections ahead of presidential one, the party showed flexibility over possibility to change stance and agree on presidential elections first,” the newspaper added.
“After meeting with President Adly Mansour, the party showed desire to hold presidential elections first,” a party leader told Al-Sharq Al-Awsat adding that this depends on reaching agreement between the other political groups on holding presidential elections first. “By then, the party will not oppose, as it is not going to be isolated from the other parties and political groups,” he added.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
