The Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party has not demanded a fixed number of ministers in the new cabinet, deputy party chairman Essam al-Erian said on Wednesday. "The FJP had not conditioned a specific share, and rejects quotas. What is more important is efficiency," Erian tweeted. "Egypt, God willing, will see a government able to fulfil the requirements of the current phase, and to achieve the revolution's goals in the face of corruption," he said. Former Irrigation Minister Hesham Qandil was appointed prime minister Tuesday after weeks of speculation around who would succeed former Prime Minister Kamal al-Ganzouri. Qandil is yet to select other members of the new cabinet. Mixed reports had emerged about negotiations between political players over their representation in the new cabinet. Prior to his election, President Mohamed Morsy had vowed to appoint a government representative of all political stripes. FJP member and former MP Saad al-Husseiny told the press on Tuesday that the party would insist on having 50 percent or less of government seats. The FJP tasked senior members Mohamed al-Beltagy and Osama Yassin to monitor political reactions to the nomination of Qandil, and to encourage political forces to provide him with suggestions for the cabinet formation. Ibrahim Abu Ouf, a member of the FJP's supreme board, said the party has suggestions for national figures known for their capability and integrity to fill government posts, selected for their potential efficiency rather than considerations of political representation. Abu Ouf reiterated that the FJP will not dominate the government, and that all political forces will be represented. An FJP leader, who asked not to be named, told Al-Masry Al-Youm that the party plans to convene Wednesday to discuss nominations for ten ministries: tourism, industry and trade, planning and international cooperation, education, petroleum, finance, health, supply, youth, and manpower. Abboud al-Zomor, senior leader in the Jama'a al-Islamiya, said the group had not offered any suggestions for the new government so as to give the president the opportunity to form a heterogenous cabinet. Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
