Eight Copts in Alexandria, seven Orthodox and one Protestant, compete to represent the National Democratic Party in upcoming parliamentary elections. The seven Orthodox candidates seek the Church's endorsement. Some even claim to be personally endorsed by the Pope. The Pope's denial of those claims, however, does not mean the Church's is not interested in having a representative in parliament, but rather the Pope's refusal to pick favorites.

Key Words: National Democratic Party – Alexandria – Pope Shenouda III – Yūsef Botros Ghālī – Māher Khillah – Karam Anwar Bekhīt – Sherīf Fakhrī Boqtar – Albert Barsūm Salāmah – The Muslim Brotherhood – Mahmūd ^cAttiah – Mohammad Al-Balashī – Sāber Abū Christīnā – Wagdī Bkhīt – Fawwāz Shahīn – Mohammad Khalīl Adam – Nāder Morqos – Nāgeh Zākher Abū Al-Khal – Sāber Abū Al-Fotūh – Nash‘at Mitrī Salīb – Alī Sīf