Today the ALDE Group spoke to Dr. Ayman Nour, one of the leading Egyptian opposition politicians and former Presidential candidate, during a live video conference in which Nour expressed his  hopes and fears on the future of Egypt.

"Change has to happen now, there is a sense of hope and a collective wish for change but three key issues have to be urgently addressed:

1. The Parliament elections are scheduled for 2 months time.  This is an unrealistic and insufficient timeframe to organise free and fair elections given that democratic parties will need more time to organise themselves, following 30 years of suppression.  Therefore I ask for the elections to be held within six  months not two.

2. The electoral system needs to be over-hauled and proportional representation needs to be introduced.

3. Currently no democratic parties are involved in talks with the Military leaders on the changes to the Constitution.  All democratic parties must be involved in this process.  "

Guy Verhofstadt, leader of the ALDE Group said: "ALDE Group fully supports these three very important demands in order to obtain a fully democratic Egypt.  ALDE,  Liberal International and Friedrich Naumann Stiftung( FNS) will send a joint delegation to stand shoulder to shoulder with those liberal and democratic parties that are calling for real democratic change. ALDE will also request the  European Parliament to open a representation office in Cairo."

 
For more information, please contact:
Corlett Neil - Tel:+32 2 284 20 77 Mob:+32 478 78 22 84
Crosse Edel - Tel:+32 2 284 31 28 Mob:+32 498 16 17 80
Web: http://www.alde.eu