Following the successful completion of the referendum on constitutional amendments earlier this year and presidential elections this month, Egypt’s political old guard starts the coalition building process in preparation for parliamentary elections scheduled for the fall. Parliamentary elections would be the last stop completing the political roadmap that was set in motion following the popular uprising that toppled Islamist president Mohammed Morsi.

Egypt’s well connected Al Watan daily newspaper reported last week that retired General Mourad Mouafi, former chief of General Intelligence Agency, was putting together a coalition of revolutionary forces headed by retired police chiefs under the umbrella of the Nationalist Movement.

While the Kuwaiti daily Al Qabas reported that Amr Mousa, the former head of the Arab League, has called for a coalition of secular political forces, except those who have been proven to be corrupt, to join hands in a united movement based on respect for principles of democracy, alternation of power, human rights and public freedoms. In addition, he stressed the need for his coalition to support President El Sisi in his constitutional mandate to rebuild Egypt’s state institutions, ensure proper governance, establish security, initiate economic development and social justice policies as well as achieve the aims of the revolution.

Amr Mousa who headed the Constitutional Assembly entrusted with amending the constitution of 2013 has proved, despite his advanced age, quite adept at bridging differences and building coalitions out of politically diverse actors ranging from laic-minded elite members to puritanical Islamists.