Ruling Egyptian party nominates Copts

The ruling National Democratic Party in Egypt has decided to enroll the names of Coptic personalities in its election lists during the coming parliamentary elections, according to a source close to this party.

The source added that the National Democratic Party started negotiations with Coptic figures, especially businessmen, in order to convince them to take part in the parliamentary elections due to be held next autumn, but without defining its number.

He continued that the Egyptian minister of the economy will be in top of the list in one of the divisions in Cairo.

The number of Copts in the election lists has been minimal. However President Hosni Mubarak has consistently chosen to appoint Copts to a number of the seats he is entitled to assign.