A Freedom and Justice Party MP has called for the formation of a presidential "team" of candidates to thwart what he described as a scheme by Mubarak regime members to return to the political scene.
Mohamed al-Beltagy, also a prominent Muslim Brotherhood leader, said on his Facebook page that he respects decisions already made by Islamist parties and groups, but that presidential candidates should come together to face what he called a presidential project led by Mubarak regime remnants and the military.
He called for former Brotherhood leader Abdel Moneim Abouel Fotouh and current Brotherhood presidential nominee Mohamed Morsy, as well as other candidates who belong to the revolution’s camp, to form the team.
The team would prevent divisions and polarization, Beltagy said, adding that this is the only guarantee against the misuse of Article 28 of the Constitutional Declaration, which prevents appeals against decisions made by the Presidential Elections Commission.
Some fear this article could allow the elections to be rigged.
Parties and Islamist movements have failed to agree on a presidential candidate, particularly with the Brotherhood’s insistence on Morsy as its nominee.
Revolutionary groups and parties fear a possible revival of the former regime through the election of ex-Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq — appointed by Hosni Mubarak toward the end of his rule — or Amr Moussa, who served as foreign minister under Mubarak and secretary general of the Arab League.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
