The other thing is that Saad Eddin Ibrahim, while popular with foreigners, is not popular in Egypt. This is partly because of the success of the defamation campaign against him a few years ago, partly because of his pro-American views (he could be seen, and easily portrayed, as an Egyptian Chalabi), and partly because of his reputation for being arrogant. In particular, Ibrahim is not that popular with the left-wing opposition or the human rights community, who remember him as someone that once was close to the powers that be.

Ironically, the best chance a reformist democrat would have to get into parliament is to run in the countryside, where family allegiances usually determine who gets elected. This has been the case for instance with some Wafd party leaders, who come from big land-owning families and can count on the support of their tenant farmers and other families in those districts.

At any rate, a Sa’ad Eddin Ibrahim run would be interesting but, as you say, probably not realistic. Is there any chance he might find a safe seat and run for parliament next year as an independent? He wouldn’t be able to accomplish too much but he might at least have a bigger platform.