Aswat Masriya (London)
25 December 2011
Although they have become the two largest political parties in Egypt after they got the majority of seats in first and second phases of the parliamentary elections Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) and “El-Nour” Party stressed they would not nominate a candidate for presidency.
Mahmoud Ghozlan, spokesman of the Muslim Brotherhood – in comments quoted by the Middle East News Agency (MEAN) – said “We will not nominate anyone for the presidency. This is a final and irreversible decision and the matter is clear.”
“So far the group did not specify who it will support out of the candidates on the scene.” he added.
“The Brotherhood did not demand to hand over power to the Speaker of the Peoples’ Assembly. We agree on the importance of expediting the presidential election through proper constitutional procedures.” he explained.
The number of political figures, including elected members of parliament called for accelerating the hand over of power to civilians. They also demeaned to end the transition period by calling for early presidential elections on 25 January next year, or authorizing the Speaker of the Peoples’ Assembly the powers of the President of the Republic for a transition period during which a constitution is drafted until holding presidential elections.
Emad Eddin Abdul Ghafour, Chairman of the Salafi “El-Nour” Party declared that “The idea of nominating member of the party as presidential candidate is totally rejected so far.”
He explained that his party has not announced until now its support for a presidential candidate. He added that the party stands at the same distance from all candidates.
Abdul Ghafour pointed out that the party leaders will meet after the parliamentary elections with the presidential candidates to in order to get to know their platforms so that they can declare their support for one of them later.
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