CAIRO - Finally we've got a VIP who denies he intends to run in the forthcoming presidential elections, which, it seems, will witness many candidates competing for the first time in Egypt's history. The eminent Egyptian geologist Farouq el-Baz says he won't run in the elections, because he believes that his generation has failed to develop the country politically. He, therefore, believes that he has no right to seek to rule the young Egyptians who courageously launched a peaceful, civilised revolution to push out a totalitarian regime. As a scientist, however, el-Baz has expressed his readiness to launch a giant development project to help his country. In fact, he floated the idea to the recently toppled regime, but it wasn't interested. Unlike el-Baz, many persons from a political, judicial or military background see no other way to serve their country other than to run in the presidential elections, due later this year. Some analysts think it will be good to have more than one candidate, after previous elections were monopolised by the National Democratic Party candidate. Meanwhile, in the wake of the January 25 revolution, we should have a new understanding of the role of the President, who shouldn't monopolise every authority and shouldn't be above criticism or opposition. The parliamentary elections are due in September, before the presidential polls. It would be great to see some respected VIPs running in the legislative elections, because, if they win seats, it will save them being occupied by people we don't want. If noted thinkers and former politicians won a good number of seats in the legislative elections, this would ensure a strong parliament, capable of choosing a committee responsible for drawing up a new constitution and supervising the performance of the President and the Government at this crucial stage in Egypt's history.
