CAIRO: Muslim Brotherhood (MB) spokesperson Mahmoud Ghozlan could neither confirm nor deny whether the group will nominate one of its leaders, Khairat El-Shater, in the upcoming presidential election. "This decision is up to the group's Shoura Council, which will make the announcement soon," Ghozlan told Daily News Egypt on Monday. Ever since the 18-day revolt that toppled Hosni Mubarak, the group had repeatedly said it will not nominate one of its members for the presidency, nor will it field a candidate from its Freedom and Justice Party (FJP). It recently added that it will, however, back a candidate with an Islamic background when registration concludes on April 8. Egypt's presidential election is slated for May 23-24. Recent media reports, however, suggest that the group will renege on its previous statements and nominate El-Shater, reportedly based on the request of several leaders within the group. El-Shater has been recently cleared of charges for which he was imprisoned under ousted president Hosni Mubarak. With a clean criminal sheet, there is no impediment stopping him from running. Political science professor at Cairo University, Karim Abdel-Razeq doubted, however, that the Brotherhood will venture into the presidential race to avoid losing people's trust as well as that of other political powers. "It's not in the group's best interest to take over all authorities in Egypt — the People's Assembly, the Shoura Council and local municipal councils," Abdel-Razeq told DNE. The MB's political arm, the FJP dominates 47 percent of the PA and Shoura Council. The group constantly attempts to reassure political powers that it does not wish to dominate power in Egypt, and hence will not seek the presidential post. Abdel-Razek suggests that El-Shater may instead be nominated for the prime minister post in the new government. The PA has been discussing passing a no-confidence vote against the current government headed by Kamal El-Ganzoury for its failure to handle the transition period. A final decision is expected to be issued by the beginning of next week. Last July, the MB group sacked presidential hopeful and a former member of the group's political bureau, Abdel-Moneim Abol Fotoh, for violating its decision not to contest the presidential polls. The group has also taken a firm stance against members who publically support Abol Fotouh and has sacked numerous members for that reason.
