Nation's Future Party

The Nation's Future Party (Arabic: حزب مستقبل وطن), also known as the Future of a Nation Party, the Future of the Homeland Party, the Homeland's Future Party, and transliterated as Mostaqbal Watan, is an Egyptian political party. The party is often seen as a "party of power", created for the sole purpose of backing President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and his policies. Originally a minor party, it has grown to become Egypt's largest political party and currently controls the majority of seats in the House of Representatives and a plurality of seats in the Senate.^[1]

History

Nation's Future Party was set up in mid-2014 by Egyptian Military Intelligence. Abdel Azim, a former member of Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's presidential campaign, told Mada Masr: An aide to the president in the presidency told me literally, 'The Nation's Future Party was originally the Nation's Future Front, established by Military Intelligence as a youth entity to support the president. It's ours'.^[1]

The Egyptian Armed Forces

The party supports the Egyptian Armed Forces, believing Egyptians need to unite behind the army and the Egyptian National Police in their fight against terrorism in defence of the nation.^[1]

Economic reforms

Party leaders have often stated their support for the IMF-backed economic reform program, believing it is the only way to help Egypt recover from the effects of the 2011 revolution and to create a modern, powerful Egyptian state despite the resulting hardships.^[1]

Foreign affairs

Reaching out to African states has also been a priority. The party has regularly lobbied the government to improve relations with the African continent, which were arguably non-existent for the latter part of the Mubarak era. The party regularly sends diplomatic delegations to foreign countries in preparation for state visits by the president of Egypt.^[1]