Egyptian Political Parties: Formal Pluralism and Obstacles to a Role in Governance

Abstract

This research examines the role of Egyptian political parties in governance, focusing on the problem of their weak performance and actual influence despite the adoption of a multi-party system. The research aims to analyze the historical context of the emergence of parties and assess the impact of the legal and institutional framework on their effectiveness. Adopting a historical analytical approach, the research demonstrates that party life in Egypt has undergone a transformation from a period of monarchical pluralism to state dominance of the party landscape. It also reveals that the legal framework for parties has remained restrictive and conservative regarding true pluralism, and that their parliamentary participation has been limited in most periods, while they have only participated in shaping the executive branch in exceptional cases. The research concludes by noting that parties face structural challenges, such as weak internal organization, security interference, and citizen aversion, which limit their role in supporting democracy and consolidating good governance.