In a press conference on Monday, former presidential candidate Abdel-Moneim Abul-Fotouh downplays chances president-elect Morsi can be effective in his new post due to continued control of politics by ruling military Former Islamist presidential candidate Abdel-Moneim Abul-Fotouh saidthat Egypt's next president will fulfll a largely symbolic role and that this stripped presidency stands against Egypt's honour. He made his comments in a press conference held Monday in response to Mohamed Morsi's win. He stressed the need to annul the constitutional addendum issued by Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) on 19 June which curtailed the incoming president's powers and granted the military council with supra-constitutional powers. "The president has now entered his presidential palace without knowing what his mandate is," Abul-Fotouh said in reference to the impact of the constitutional addendum on power distribution. Abul-Fotouh described the new president as a "ghost without the will or authority of a real president." He also added that Egypt has had to pay a heavy price for the mistakes carried out by both the SCAF and the Muslim Brotherhood during the transitional period following the fall of former president Hosni Mubarak. Abul-Fotouh, nevertheless, applauded the ability of the pro-revolution national and political forces in uniting to defeat former regime candidate Ahmed Shafiq who served as Mubarak's last prime minister during the 18 day uprising. Morsi faced Shafiq in the runoffs after the first round of the presidential elections held on 23 and 24 May. Abul-Fotouh also addressed rumours that had been circulating over the weekend that he was willing to accept the post of vice-president in Morsi's government. Abul-Fotouh denied these claims saying he has not been been offered any governmental positions, and re-affirmed his refusal to take part in any government dictated by a SCAF-dominated constitutional declaration. Abul-Fotouh landed fourth place in the first round of the elections, garnering 18 per cent of the votes. In the lead-up to the runoffs, Abul-Fotouh announced his support for Morsi against Shafiq. http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/46139.aspx
