CAIRO, January 25, 2012– Next Wednesday marks the anniversary of the Egyptian uprising that removed dictator Hosni Mubarak. Now Egyptians wonder whether it will be a day of peaceful demonstrations to remember the revolution and Egypt’s martyrs, or whether it will be a day when Egyptians unite and demand that the military implement the democracy the revolution promised.
They also wonder who will be Egypt’s next president.
Egyptians are fatigued from the near constant unrest that the country witnessed over the past year. Almost all Egyptians describe 2011 as the longest year ever, due to the incredible events and daily incidents that took place all over the country.
However, when the ruling military council officially announced nominations for Egypt’s presidential race will open in mid April, some Egyptians felt more confident in the future. They are aware, however, of the incredible challenges that remain. The country must still write a new constitution, which will define the role of the military, strength of parliament, and the powers of the president. Islamic parties have the majority in parliament, which will hold its first session on 23 January.
The country must still elect a new president who can lead the nation through its most critical and challenging periods.
Egypt’s atmosphere remains trouble. Young activists believe the country has not met the demands of the revolution. Dr. Mohamed El Baradei confirmed this view earlier this week when he withdrew officially from the presidential race. Dr El Baradei, former head of Atomic Energy Agency (I AEA) and Nobel Peace Prize winner, explained that he withdrew from the presidential race due to the lack of a real democratic system. He added that, ”the regime has not fallen yet.”
The Moslem Brotherhood said ElBaradei withdrew because he realized he would not win. The Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party, which holds more than 40% of the seats in Parliament, says it will not compete for President, and instead will back other candidates like former minister of foreign affairs Nabil El Arabi.
El Baradei, according to the Brotherhood, is “too liberal.”
El Baradei ‘s leadership helped revitalize young people’s interest in politics. Thousands have started an on line campaign urging him to reverse his decision to withdraw, while others see his resignation as a force to drive even greater democracy. Without El Baradei in the race, a broader range of other candidates may have a stronger showing.
Other strong contenders are Hamdeen Sabahi, a Nasserist who supports democracy and working classes; Dr. A. Aboul Fottouh, a former member of the Muslim Brotherhood who could win the support of both conservatives and the liberals because of his platform of justice and democratic rule outside the military.
There are other strong candidates in the race. The current frontrunner is former Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa. Moussa expressed regret when ElBaradei left the race, saying El Baradei had played a significant role in shaping events in Egypt. Hazem S. Abou Ismail, an ultra conservative Salafist, is another leading candidate who recently became hugely popular among Islamist parties.
Former talk show host and popular figure Bothina Kamel is Egypt’s first real female candidate for president. In spite of Kamel’s limited chances of winning the office, women won only 1.6% of the seats in the next parliament; she has already won the respect of a great majority of Egyptian women.
The presidential election is a vital part of Egypt’s move from dictatorship and military rule since the fall of the monarchy in 1952. Egyptians that voted in large numbers in parliamentary elections are likely to turn out in droves for the presidential election scheduled for June.
Regardless of whom they vote for, Egyptians are anxious to elect their own leader, not one imposed by the military.
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