The Wafd Party would neither run in the upcoming parliamentary elections nor participate in the planned national dialogue unless the regime responds to the opposition’s demands to replace Cabinet ministers and appoint a new prosecutor general, party President Al-Sayed al-Badawy said.
Badawy, speaking with the ambassador from Slovakia, said the Supreme Judicial Council should choose the new prosecutor general. Controversy over the current prosecutor general has continued since the president in November used a constitutional declaration to replace former Prosecutor General Abdel Meguid Mahmoud — a move some said violated judicial independence.
Badawy also told the ambassador that he would brief the International Monetary Fund’s managing director Monday on the party’s stance on ongoing negotiations over a US$4.8 billion loan.
An IMF delegation is in Egypt and has met with opposition leaders including Dostour Party President Mohamed ElBaradei, People’s Current movement founder Hamdeen Sabbahi and Egyptian Congress Party head Amr Moussa.
Badawy is a leader in the National Salvation Front, the largest opposition coalition in the country.
Edited translation from MENA
