The call for the formation of a presidential council is a coup d’état of democracy and the election held last month, said liberal MP Amr Hamzawy.
In an interview with London-based Asharq al-Awsat published on Tuesday, Hamzawy criticized former presidential candidates Hamdeen Sabbahi, Abdel Moneim Abouel Fotouh and Khaled Ali who on Monday called for halting the election process and forming a civilian presidential council.
“They should have protested against the election and boycotted it from the onset rather than after losing,” Hamzawy said.
“It is too late now for the presidential council idea, and it replaces the election process with an appointment process, which is incompatible with democracy,” he said.
“All of the candidates took part in the election despite the fact that the political isolation law was not implemented; therefore, they have no right to object now,” he added. “I support the completion of the electoral process in spite of all the problems and violations, as millions of Egyptians participated in it.”
Hamzawy suggested that the revolutionary candidates form a presidential team in order to help the Muslim Brotherhood’s candidate Mohamed Morsy face his opponent Ahmed Shafiq, Mubarak’s final prime minister, provided they are given specific rather than honorary powers.
Hamzawy then announced that he would negate his vote as he would “definitely not support Shafiq regardless of what promises he makes.” He added that he “will not vote for the Muslim Brotherhood’s candidate either without a clear agreement on guarantees.”
Hamzawy said the guarantees must include, “the formation of a presidential team with unambiguous powers, the formation of a coalition government headed by someone from outside the Freedom and Justice Party, and for the key ministries such as the defense, interior, foreign affairs, justice, finance, and education ministries [to be headed by people] from outside the FJP as well, in the presence of a program for national action.”
