A quick glance at candidate lists raises obvious questions. Why are so many ministers and businessmen running for parliament? What mysterious appeal does elected office hold for the country's top government and business executives? The ministers in question fall into two groups. Some have been in politics for years and are known to have been interested in public affairs before they became part of the government. These ministers are adept players of the political game and have strong links with their constituencies. Others just got carried away and suddenly decided -- though they have done nothing extraordinary, not even in their executive careers -- to bolster their political posts by adding "member of parliament" to their titles. Perhaps they think being part of the legislature makes them more indispensable and lends them greater immunity. Ministers who are also members of parliament are commonplace in well-established democracies such as the UK. But such ministers usually have a track record in their constituencies. In Egypt this is seldom the case. The businessmen who have developed such a sudden interest in politics come in all shapes and sizes. They are often linked with one or other of the warring factions within the regime. These days it is common practice to speculate on where a businessman's loyalties lie rather than on his merits. One must assume that businessmen are honourable people and entitled to serve their country in any available way. One should not assume that they are hunting for debt relief, business connections or inside information. But why are they all running for the National Democratic Party? Why aren't at least some joining the opposition? The Muslim Brotherhood is raising the same old slogan, "Islam is the solution". The slogan violates the law, which prohibits the use of religious slogans. The Brotherhood doesn't seem to care. The recently-formed coalition of opposition parties has at least managed to attract groups from across the political spectrum. Aside from that feat the front brings little new to the political arena and even its leaders know that its chances are slim. The independents -- those members of the outgoing assembly who used to be NDP members but are now running against the party -- don't seem to be bothered by their apparent lack of honesty. They act as if they're challenging the NDP when everyone knows they will rejoin after the elections. The above criticism doesn't apply to everyone. Some people have honest intentions but they are a minority. If anything, the past few days have shown just how urgently Egypt needs a constitutional amendment. Elections need to be conducted through party lists, not individual candidates. This would end the NDP runaway phenomenon. It would also give the opposition a chance to get its fair share of parliamentary seats.
