The Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party on Wednesday criticized US House Majority Leader Eric Cantor's statements expressing concern that the Brotherhood would win a parliamentary majority in upcoming elections.
Cantor told the Israeli Jerusalem Post newspaper on Monday he was "very worried" about the situation in Egypt and the possibility that anti-western factions, like the Brotherhood, will win a significant portion of parliamentary seats in November.
Saad al-Katatny, the party’s secretary-general, described Cantor’s statements as unacceptable intervention in Egyptian policy, saying the house leader's words don't conform to the principles of democracy that the US supposedly respects.
“It shows the United States' real stance toward achieving democracy in the Middle East. It accepts no other democracy than its own or that which achieves its interests and those of its allies in the region,” Katatny said.
“Forming parliamentary councils in any country is a local affair," he added. "Egyptians' selection of their representatives in fair elections should be welcomed by the US administration.”
Katatny also emphasized that his party does not seek to take over parliament as no political force can run the country alone during Egypt's transition.
The party will contest no more than 50 percent of seats in the elections and will not field a candidate in the presidential race, he added.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
