Former Egyptian presidential hopeful Bassem Khafagy, chief of the under-construction Development and Change Party, has recently announced that he would run "for the first free coming elections", not the elections slated for 26 and 27 May. In a video posted on his website and Facebook page on 9 April, Khafagy, who is loyal to the Muslim Brotherhood, said: "I will not take part in this election that is based on crime and an illegitimate regime." He said he refused to be "part of dirty political games". "My stance on the presidential elections is a mix of two things," he said. "I will not keep silent. I will not also take part in giving legitimacy to a coup. I will not keep silent and will not take part in the crime of leaving the scene for an oppressive regime to unilaterally rule the country after having usurped power through weapons," he said. "No, I will not take part in this farce and crime that is happening now. I will rather fight and prevent it from continuing," he added. "I will not leave the scene for them to hijack Egyptians' dreams and future. I will remain as a presidential candidate till we all can have free and fair elections," Khafagy said. He also announced the launch of his presidential campaign, which he said would continue till "free and fair elections are held in Egypt". He said the objective of the campaign would be to form "the best presidential team" to resolve people's problems. Asked if he would gather signatures or get the nomination papers, Khafagy said: "Absolutely not." Khafagy, who is seen as a low-profile Islamist figure, first emerged when he withdrew from the 2012 presidential race. He worked as a researcher, human development, education and IT expert in Arab and foreign countries, according to his website. Resigned Defence Minister Field Marshal Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, who led the overthrow of former Islamist President Mohammad Morsi in July last year after mass protests, is seen as the front-runner in the forthcoming presidential elections. Khafagy's announcement is the first declared stance by a Morsi's loyalist on the forthcoming presidential elections. By this announcement, Khafagy may be trying to set himself as the leader of the Islamist opposition against the current ruling authorities now that most Muslim Brotherhood leaders are jailed. Khafagy's video was widely shared on social media and received mixed reactions in Egypt. On Twitter, liberal politician Ayman Nur (@AymanNour) wrote: "I appreciate Bassem Khafagy's decision not to take part in the upcoming presidential elections. I am astonished that both supporters and boycotters of the elections criticized his decision." Leading figure of the pro-Morsi National Alliance for Supporting Legitimacy Hatim Azzam disclosed that Khafagy had close ties with the pro-military head of the Salafist Call Yasser Burhami, and that Khafagy joined the 2012 presidential race upon Burhami's recommendation. On his Twitter account, Azzam said: "If Burhami spoiled the democratic process after the revolution, we do not want a new Burhami. Turn over this page now." For his part, expert in Islamist movements Ahmed Ban said that Khafagy's announcement is just "a litmus test" by the Muslim Brotherhood to assess public reaction. Meanwhile, the news was highlighted on front pages of local newspapers. "Bassem Khafagy, a new Brotherhood joke, announces his candidacy and describes the elections as a play," privately-owned Al-Yawm al-Sabi reported. The privately-owned pro-army Al-Watan daily also ridiculed Khafagy's announcement. It said: "Following Morsi's suit, Khafagy announces that he is running and not running at the same time." Activists from different political affiliations see Khafagy as a low-profile figure who has never played any vital role on the political arena. Prominent liberal activist Ala Abdel-Fattah wondered sarcastically: "Who is Bassem Khafagy?"
