[2] The Arab Socialist Union (ASU) was founded in 1962 by Gamal Abdel Nasser as the country's sole political party.

The programme of nationalisation under Nasser saw E£7 billion worth of private assets transferred into the public sector.

[5] Following the defeat in the Six-Day War in 1967 Nasser reorganized the ASU, closing its youth branch and executive bureau.

This was demonstrated clearly in 1974, with Sadat's Infitah, or Open Door, economic policy, which allowed the emergence of a modern entrepreneurial and consumerist society.

Following assuming office in 1970, late president Anwar Sadat adopted the slogans of rule of law and the institutional state.

In August 1974, Sadat put forward a working paper to revamp the Arab Socialist Union.

During the first meeting of the People's Assembly on 22 November 1976, president Sadat declared the three political organizations turned into parties.