STATEMENTS by Muslim Brotherhood members Saad el-Katatni and Mohamed el-Zayat, who ran for one of the Beheira Governorate constituencies in the recent Shura Council (the Upper House of Parliament) polls, reflect the alliance between this banned movement and Mohamed ElBaradei, who is pushing for constitutional reform in Egypt. Their statements are also a reaction to what they claim is the rigging of the elections by the National Democratic Party, especially as the Brotherhood didn't win any seats in the Shura Council polls. The movement's leaders also claim they were marginalised by the regime. Because of their failure to secure any seats, the Brotherhood movement will need to adopt a new strategy for the People's Assembly (Lower House of Parliament) elections, due to be held next November. El-Katatni, head of the Brotherhood parliamentary bloc, stresses that the movement supports the National Coalition for Change, chaired by ElBaradei, adding that Brotherhood leaders met with ElBaradei in his home outside Cairo. Similarly, ElBaradei, the former chief of the UN atomic watchdog, also met with Brotherhood members at their headquarters, to help them draw up a work plan for comprehensive reform. The Brotherhood has been banned in Egypt since 1954, but its members are allowed to run in elections as independents. “He stressed the necessity of dealing with the bad practices of the NDP that frustrate citizens, including the nationwide rigging of the Shura polls,” according to el-Katatni. “The Brotherhood support the call for reform being made by the National Coalition for Change, headed by ElBaradei,” says el-Katatni, noting that his movement have yet to decide whether they'll support ElBaradei as a presidential candidate or not. Diaa Rashwan, a researcher at Al- Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies says the fact that none of the Brotherhood candidates was elected in the recent Shura Council polls is something serious. “It was expected that none of the Brotherhood candidates would be elected, but it's still a tragedy,” says Rashwan, adding that relationship between the Brotherhood and ElBaradei should be carefully considered. “The purpose of the Brotherhood supporting ElBaradei may be to send a special message to the regime about the importance of political reform.” Fouad Allam, a security expert, believes that, before the June 1 Shura polls, the Brotherhood tried to meet with other political parties but failed. “It's difficult to imagine that the Brotherhood have a political goal, namely reform, for supporting ElBaradei. The movement want to regain their popularity and this support is only a show for the media, especially as the movement's People's Assembly members have been ineffective in the current parliamentary session,” he argues. Rashad Bayoumi, a member of the Brotherhood Guidance Bureau, denies there is a connection between the rigging of the Shura Council elections and ElBaradei's meeting with the Brotherhood. “We and ElBaradei want to instigate political reform and achieve it,” he says. Gamal Hishmat, a member of the Brotherhood's Consultative Council, says they met with ElBaradei, because of concerns over the National Coalition for Change splitting, especially as the co-ordinator of the Coalition, Hassan Nafa', has decided to resign. He adds that ElBaradei has made the Egyptians hopeful about change, so he needs to be supported. Political reform can only be achieved if all the opposition political parties are united.
