1. Country profile
 

 
Capital: Cairo
Population: 82,079,636 (February 2011 est.)
Ethnic groups: Egyptians 99.6%, other 0.4%
Religions: Muslim (mostly Sunni) 90%, Coptic 9% (official figures), other 1%
 
Regime Type: Republic
Head of state: President/Vice President (vacant); Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, Head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (since February 2011)  
Prime Minister: Essam Sharaf (resigned)
Parliament: Parliament dissolved since 13th February 2011
Next election: People's Assembly: November 2011 - January 2012, Shoura Council: January - March 2012 
Freedom House Ranking: not free (2010)
 
GDP/capita: $2,270
Literacy Rate: 71.4%. 
Unemployment Rate: 9.7 %
Human Development Index (2010): 0.620 (101st)

Revolution/Transition
 
2. Political situation
 
Former president Hosni Mubarak stood down on 11th February 2011 and his powers have been handed over to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF).
 
In its Fifth Statement of 13th February 2011, the SCAF announced the suspension of the constitution, the dissolving of the parliament, the establishment of a special committee in charge of drafting constitutional amendments, the holding of a popular referendum on these amendments as well as of parliamentary and presidential elections, and that "The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces shall temporarily administer the affairs of the country for a period of 6 months or until the parliamentary elections (including its two Councils) and Presidential elections are held." It also confirmed that "The State is committed to implementing all international treaties and covenants to which it is party."
 
The SCAF follows a controversial agenda: the emergency law has not been abolished, civilians continue to be tried before military tribunals, bloggers, journalists and human rights defenders are subject to direct or indirect harassment etc., which contribute to growing tensions and fuel further popular protests.  
 
27 Egyptian citizens were killed and more than 300 injured at a march organised by Coptic Christians on 9th October 2011 (Maspero events).
 
Violence returned back to Egypt, its symbolic Tahrir Square in Cairo and other cities, on 19th November 2011. Following clashes between demonstrators and security forces, the government resigned on 21st November and a new Prime Minister has been appointed.
 
 
The legal situation
 
Egypt is currently governed by a provisional constitution (as the constitution has been suspended since 13th February), which includes the amendments approved at the 19th March referendum, with provisional articles defining the powers of the executive and judicial branches as well as rules to be applied to the coming parliamentary and presidential elections.
 
As declared in the SCAF's Fifth Statement of 13th February, political powers are exercised by the SCAF until parliamentary elections take place.
 
The army has postponed the lifting of the emergency law until the parliamentary and presidential elections are completed.
 
The elections
 
As announced by the SCAF on 27 September 2011, elections to the People's Assembly are scheduled to be held in three rounds starting on 28 November, 14 December 2011, and 3 January 2012, to be followed by elections to the Shoura Council in three rounds starting on 29 January, 14 February, and 4 March 2012, as well as by presidential elections by June 2012.
 
As announced by the High Election Commission, the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party got 36.6 per cent and the Salafist-dominated Nour Party 24.4 percent, while the liberal Egyptian Bloc came in third with 13.4 percent of the votes on the first day of elections. The runoffs to the first round held on 5 and 6 December 2011 confirmed these tendencies.
 
The current division of seats in the Egyptian parliament after the first round (166 seats) is as follows:
- Freedom and Justice Party (Muslim Brotherhood) and minor coalition partners: 80 seats- Islamic Alliance: 34 seats- Egyptian Bloc: 17 seats- Wafd Party: 12 seats- Revolution Continues Coalition: 5 seats- Center Party (Islamist but more moderate than MB): 4 seats- Justice Party: 1 seat- Former NDP members: 9 seats- Independents: 4 seats
 
3. Key issues
  
• The democratic aspirations of the Egyptian people should continue to be supported.
 
• In the context of the democratic transition, a genuine and open political dialogue should be guaranteed with the participation of all democratic political forces and civil society.
 
• Elections should take place as scheduled and should be free, fair and transparent.
 
• A democratically elected government should be established as quickly as possible and all civilian powers should be transferred to this government without delay.
 
• The emergency law should be abolished and, in relation to this, military trials of civilians should be immediately stopped.
 
• The new constitution should be based on universal values of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
 
• Economic and social reforms should be accelerated as economic development, social justice and a higher standard of living are essential for long-term political and social stability in the country.
 
 
4. EU / Egypt relations
 
The European Parliament adopted several resolutions, supported by the S&D Group, on the situation in Egypt in 2011.
 
The EU and Egypt have had an Association Agreement since 2004.
 
The EU is Egypt's most important trade partner (31,2% of all foreign trade in 2010).
 
EU support foreseen in the framework of the multiannual programming for 2011-2013: EUR 409 million. This sum is likely to increase following an announced increase of funding of EUR 1.2 billion to the overall ENP budget in 2011-2013.
 
5. Like-minded partners
 
Political parties
 
Several parties have been created in Egypt over the past period. Further investigation has to be made to identify like-minded partners of the S&D Group in the long run.
 
• Egyptian Socialist Party
• Egyptian Social Democratic Party
• SPAP Socialist Popular Alliance
 
Civil society organizations
 
The Group has established contacts with several civil society organisations.
 
Updated 14.12.11