New Parline: the IPU’s Open Data Platform (beta)

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The 2015 parliamentary elections consolidated the position of President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, who assumed office in June 2014. They were the first to be held since the July 2013 uprising that ousted the previous President Mohamed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood. The country had been without a functioning parliament since June 2012. "In Love of Egypt" (Fi Hob Misr, see note 1), a 10-party coalition formed in February 2015 in response to President Al-Sisi's call for a unified front in parliament, won all 120 seats under the proportional representation system. The parties in the In Love of Egypt coalition also took around 60 of the 448 seats filled under the majority system. In addition, over 70 independent candidates are allied with the coalition. With over 250 seats, the In the In Love of Egypt coalition became the largest force in the new unicameral 596-member House of Representatives, which also includes 28 presidential appointees. Only three parties outside the In Love of Egypt coalition took more than ten seats. The Republican People's Party, led by Mr. Hizb al Shab al Gomhory, includes former ministers and members of the National Democratic Party (NDP, see note 2) from the time of the former President Hosni Mubarak. El Nour, a Salafist party led by Mr. Younis Makhyoun, joined Mr. Al-Sisi and other forces in removing former President Morsi from office in July 2013. The third party to win seats outside the In Love of Egypt coalition was the Guards of the Homeland party (Homat Al Watan). Both phases of the elections saw low voter turnout: 28.27% in the first phase and 29.83% in the second phase. During the election campaign, many candidates focused on economic development, the minimum wage, medical care and education. In all, 75 women were elected, a record in Egypt. On 31 December, President Sisi appointed 28 parliamentarians, including 14 women, bringing the total number of women in the House of Representatives to 89. The House also comprises 173 members below 45 years old, including 16 young people (those between 25 and 35 years old). The convening of the newly elected House of Representatives on 10 January 2016 marked the end of the transitional roadmap started in 2013. Note 1: The "In Love of Egypt" coalition comprises, amongst others, the Free Egyptians Party (Al Masreyeen Al-Ahrar), founded by Naguib Sawiris; the Nation's Future Party, founded in 2013 by 24-year old Mohamed Badran (the head of the student union); and the New Wafd party, led by Mr. El-Sayyid el-Badawi. Other parties in the coalition are the Reform and Development Misruna Party, the Conference Party (Hezb Al-Tagammu, which is itself a union of various leftist and liberal parties), the Conservative party (which withdrew from the coalition but re-joined it), Tamarod (Rebel), the Modern Egypt Party, the Reform and Renaissance Party and the Sadat Democratic Party. The coalition also includes businessmen and former ministers and NDP members. The coalition is led by Mr. Sameh Seif El-Yazal. Note 2: The NDP was dissolved following the uprising that toppled President Mubarak in 2011. The Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), formed by the Muslim Brotherhoodwon elections to the People's Assembly and the Shoura Assembly of the then bicameral parliament in 2011 and 2012. The FJP's candidate, Mr. Mohamed Morsi won presidential elections held in 2012.