A new law allowing parties to form by submitting applications evoked varied responses from politicians. While the Muslim Brotherhood welcomed the law, issued two days ago, Jama'a al-Islamiya expressed concerns about one of its articles, which says parties cannot have a religious foundation. Despite its criticism, Jama'a al-Islamiya said the law allows groups greater freedom to engage in politics. The abolition of government funding for parties -- previously LE100,000 per year -- has also sparked controversy among party leaders and legal experts. But Mamdouh Qenawi, president of the Free Social Constitutional Party, said he has been calling for an end to government funding for years. The Muslim Brotherhood announced it intends to submit an application to establish the Freedom and Justice Party. Founders of the Free Ghad Coalition Party have also submitted an initial application to the vice president of the Court of Cassation. Translated from the Arabic Edition
