A government official revealed that the anticipated Cabinet reshuffle has been postponed to mid February as Prime Minister Hazem al-Beblawy did not interview any of the candidates for the ministries included in the reshuffle.
The official, who preferred anonymity, told Al-Masry Al-Youm that the reshuffle will be determined after Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi makes his decision on running for presidency. His decision is not expected to be determined before the law regulating presidential elections has been issued next week.
In the case that Sisi officially announces his decision to run in the elections, he will have to resign from his post in the military before submitting his candidacy, as members of the military are barred by law from running for political office or voting in elections. Once candidates are accepted to run in elections, voting lists are frozen and persons, such as Sisi, who are in the military are not permitted to change their status in order to run for office.
Sisi has held the position of Field Marshal since Saturday after being promoted by Interim President Adly Mansour last week.
Ministries expected to be included in the Cabinet reshuffle, along with the ministries of Defense and Military Production currently held by Sisi, are the ministries of justice, youth, culture, antiquities, petroleum and several other ministries. The reshuffle will affect close to one-third of the 36 members of the current Cabinet.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
