'Be careful for what you wish for, you just might get it.'
And Egypt has got democracy. But it's not to everyone's liking, especially as it has resulted in some strange bedfellows, alliances and personalities that many Egyptians were hoping would be confined to the dustbin of history.
The 23 hopefuls who have raised their hands in their bid to become Egypt's president have been the subject of political shows, Twitter chatter and Facebook updates.
All of them have their supporters and critics, but none is more controversial than Omar Sulieman, who was once the intelligence chief in Hosni Mubarak's regime, but is now hoping to lead a democratic country.
Mr. Sulieman's presence has opened barely-healed wounds in the North African country as he was part of a regime that managed Egypt by control and fear.
In fact, Mr Sulieman who was installed as the prime minister in the final days of Mr Mubarak's regime, famously said Egyptians were not ready for a democracy.
"Egypt will always be and continue to be a national democratic state where its children enjoy full rights," said Mr. Suleiman in a recent media interview, changing his tune.
His critics, who have called his nomination an 'insult' to the revolution that ousted the Mubarak regime, also claim that his military background means that he has backed by the powerful Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF).
Mr. Sulieman's arrival on the scene takes some spotlight away from the Muslim Brotherhood, which had vowed not to field a candidate, but in a volte-face, nominated not one but two candidates - Khairat El-Shater and Mohamed Morsy -- damaging the Islamic party's credibility among other political parties.
"With the imminent presidential candidacy of Mubarak's former intelligence chief, Omar Suleiman, the SCAF might have already executed its "quiet coup"," wrote Dr Larbi Sadiki, a senior lecturer in Middle East Politics at the University of Exeter, in a column.
"Not only was he part of the cabal that actively undermined the Ikhwan, but he is also in his own right a formidable candidate with strong chances of success. The candidacy of al-Shater may be primarily aimed against that of Suleiman."
Moderate Islamist Abouel Fotouh and independent diplomat Amr Moussa were widely seen as front runners until the Muslim Brotherhood candidates threw their hats in the ring.
What brought about the dramatic change in Muslim Brotherhood's strategy?
Shibley Telhami, a non-resident Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy, Saban Center for Middle East Policy, says that two things that changed MB's mind.
"Following their parliamentary victory, their constituents were already judging them based on their performance, even though the Egyptian government in charge is outside their control and appointed by the military rulers," wrote Telhami in a report. "They became suspicious that the military and the interim government are deliberately acting to undermine their parliamentary credibility."
After the former IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei dropped out of the race, MB did not find either Amr Moussa or its competitor Hazem Abu Ismail to its liking.
"Given the fragmented field, it was no longer guaranteed that a liberal or moderate candidate would win simply by being endorsed by the Brotherhood," says Tehami.
"Some lacked international stature and significant Egyptian public support; others like Abd Al Monem Abul Futouh angered the Brotherhood by breaking from them to run for president, and had the Brotherhood endorsed him, he would have been counted as one of their own any way. By choosing one of their leaders to run for the presidency, the Brotherhood is betting that they will rally their supporters behind the nomination and hope to get a few more backers through coalition building."
THE 23 HOPEFULS
The Higher Committee for Presidential Elections has announced that 23 candidates have now entered into the race, with 11 independents, three aligned with Islamic parties, three with leftist parties and six with liberal parties. The committee will decide on the disqualified candidates on Friday, April 13, with a two-day window for appeals. The final candidate list will be announced on April 26th.
Cairo-based CI Capital Holding profiles the 23 presidential hopefuls (in no particular order):
Ashraf Zaki Hassan Barouma
Party/idealogy: Masr Al-Kinana Party -Liberal
Bio: Petroleum Engineer, Founder of Masr Al-Kinana Party and Chairman of United Gulf Training Company in Riyadh. Barouma's platform supports free market economy.
Key Strengths: His young age, he is only 44, and liberal ideas could attract some of the revolution youth.
Negatives: Low-profile campaign may hurt especially in the presence of stronger liberal figures.
***
Ayman Abdel Aziz Nour
Party/Idealogy: Ghad El Thawra Party
Bio: An Egyptian politician; a former member of the Egyptian Parliament; founder of El Ghad party and chairman of Ghad El-Thawra Party. Nour was the first man to ever compete against Mubarak for the presidency of Egypt in 2005. His liberal thoughts could appeal to some voters who fear the dominance of the Islamist majority Nour was imprisoned by Mubarak under allegations of "forgery" which were widely criticized for being politically motivated. Nour was released on "health grounds" on February18, 2009 only a couple of months before actually finishing his prison time.
Strengths: His anti-corruption stance, especially when he competed with the former President Mubarak, appeals to some of the young activists of the revolution.
Weakness: Faces strong competition with similar ideologies.
***
Hamdeen Sabbahi
Party/Idealogy: Independent - Leftist
Bio: Graduate of Faculty of Mass Communication, Cairo University. Founded the Arab Nasserist Al-Karama Party in 1996, and was elected twice to the People's Assembly in 2000 and 2005. He was jailed twice in 1981 and 1997 by President Sadat and Mubarak. Co-founder of the Kefaya movement in 2004, and the National Assembly for Change (NAC) in 2010.
Strengths: Solid reputation for his opposition to state policy under presidents Sadat and Mubarak.
Weakness: Sabbahi's long-standing Nasserist affiliation is considered a disadvantage, as is the presence of other leftist presidential candidates.
***
Hazem Salah Abu Ismail
Party/Idealogy: Independent - Islamists (Salafi)
Bio: Graduate of Faculty of Law, Cairo University, a prominent Al-Azhar scholar and a long-standing member of parliament.
Strengths: Supported by Islamists, especially Salafists. His refined campaign management skills - honed by managing his father's four successful electoral campaigns - give him a strong advantage. His rejection of Egypt's subservient relationship with the U.S. and intention to achieve independence resonates with the public clamouring for national pride; as did his speech against SCAF.
Weaknesses: His Islamic orientation does not endear him to liberals. He also faces a tough battle against other prominent Islamist presidential candidates, such as Mohamed Selim El-Awa, Khairat El-Shater and Abdel-Moneim Abul-Fotouh. Mr. Ismail is also embroiled in a controversy regarding his mother's American nationality, which could potentially derail his presidency bid.
***
Hisham El Bastawisi
Party/Idealogy: Al-Tagamua Party - Islamic
Bio: Graduate of the Law school, Cairo University. M.r El-Bastawisi worked as a deputy prosecutor at the customs authority and the minors authority in Alexandria (1980-88). Became a judge in the Cassation Court in Cairo in 1988, and served as a legal counselor in the United Arab Emirates in the 1990s.
Strengths: Played a key role in the struggle for judicial independence in the last decade of Hosni Mubarak's rule.
Weaknesses: Mr. El-Bastawisi is only backed by the left-wing Tagammu Party, and has limited financial resources. The presence of other leftist presidential candidates with liberal views on social issues similar could eat into his votes.
***
Ibrahim Ahmed Al Gharib
Party/Idealogy: Independent
Bio: English language teacher
***
Khaled Ali
Party/Idealogy: Independent -- Liberal
Bio: Graduate of law school from the Zaqaziq University. Mr. Ali worked at Cairo's Legal Assistance Centre (LAC), which provides free legal aid. He founded the Hisham Mubarak Law Centre (HMLC), a law firm that has since become a major player in the country's human rights scene. His strong positions against the ruling military council and his focus on social justice and workers' rights are broadly popular among revolutionary forces.
Mr. Ali was a founding member of the Front for Defending Egypt's Protesters, an initiative set up in 2008. Moreover, he founded the Egyptian Centre for Economic and Social Rights (ECESR), a prominent human and labour rights advocacy group in 2009.
Strengths: Mr. Ali has been dubbed "the common man" due to his modest background and his decades-long struggle for the rights of ordinary people. He also enjoys the backing of several human rights activists and revolutionary groups, as well as a number of leftist intellectuals.
Weaknesses: Short on political experience, which is focused on domestic policy.
***
Mohamed Abdel Fattah Issa
Party/Ideology: Al-Geel Al-Demoraty (The Democratic Generation Party)
Bio: Works as a law professor and a member of the Democratic Generation Party, part of the Democratic Alliance for Egypt led by the Muslim Brotherhood. The party is focused on national unity, integration between Nile-basin countries, and more active Egyptian role at the African, Arab and Islamic levels.
Strengths: Being part of the Democratic Alliance led by the Muslim Brotherhood, may attract some of the Muslim Brotherhood young members who favour more liberal views.
Weaknesses: Low-profile campaigning compared to other competitors on the horizon.
***
Abd Allah Hassan Al Ashaal
Party/Ideology: Al Asala Party - Islamic
Bio: Lawyer and international arbitrator and chairman of Al Ashaal law firm. Mr Ashaal joined the diplomatic service in 1968 till 2003 and was assistant minister of foreign affairs and director, and then of policy planning Dept. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1998-99, 2001- 2003). His party supports the establishment of an Islamic state and fair distribution of wealth
Strengths: Could attract some Islamist voters
Weaknesses: Presence of other stronger Islamist competitors as Mohamed Morsy, Khairat El Shater and Mohamed Selim Al Awa
***
Abdel-Moneim Abul- Fotouh
Party/Ideology: Independent - Islamic (Moderate)
Bio: Graduate of medical school from Cairo University, Mr. Abul-Fotouh acquired a bachelor degree in law from Cairo University during his imprisonment over 1996- 2001. Involved in the National Association for Change (NAC), which sought constitutional reform and the achievement of social justice, and the Arab Union of Physicians.
Strengths: Was a strong advocate of the revolution and set up field hospitals. His experience in the Arab Union of Physicians gives provided him to build a strong network regionally and internationally.
His liberal views on Coptic and women's rights makes him a popular choice among liberal-Islamist segments of middle-class and young Brotherhood members.
Weaknesses: Many liberal, leftist and Christian voters fear Abul-Fotouh's Islamist background that could push the country towards theocracy.
***
Abul Ezz El Hariri
Party/Ideology: Al-Tahlouf Al-Shaabi Al-Eshteraki Party- Leftist
Bio: Graduate of a technical industrial high school he worked at the state-owned National Textile Company in Alexandria. Mr. El Hariri joined the Tagammu Party in 1976 and won a seat in the industrial constituency of Karmouzin Alexandria. He was arrested five times during the Sadat era due to his labour activism and opposition to the Camp David Accord.
He was an early member of the Kefaya movement in 2004; and one of the founders of the National Association for Change in 2010. He was also one of the founding members of the Socialist Popular Alliance Party.
Strengths: Mr. El-Hariri is viewed as incorruptible and could appeal to voters who want to root-out Mubarak-era excesses. He appeals to those fearing either Islamist or Mubarak-erea presidents
Weaknesses: His lack of experience in foreign affairs, as well as his principled opposition to the state of Israel and the United States, is seen as a drawback.
The presence of other leftist presidential candidates including Khaled Ali and Hamdeen Sabahi could eat into his vote bank.
***
Ahmed Hossam Khairalla
Party/Ideology: Al-Salam al-Dimuqrati Party - Leftist
Bio: A former intelligence officer, Mr. Khairalla advocates the platform of his liberal leftist political party with abiding by the Islamic law (Sharia'h) as the main source of legislation. Mr. Khairalla supports growing small businesses.
Strengths: Backed up by a political party.
Weaknesses: Low-profile campaign in addition to the presence of other stronger liberal figures.
***
Ahmed Hossam Khairat
Party/Ideology: Misr Al-Arabi Al- Ishtaraki Party - Leftist
Bio: Member of the Egyptian Arab Socialist Party founded in the 1970s and revived in the 1990s. Mr. Khairat advocates the platform of his party which sought the representation rate of at least 50% for peasants and laborers
Strengths: His socialist ideas could attract certain segments of voters, particularly the poor.
Weaknesses: Low-profile campaign in addition to the presence of stronger Socialist personalities.
***
Ahmed Mohamed Awad Ali
Party/Ideology: Masr Al Qawmy Party - Liberal
Bio: Known as Ahmed Awad Al Saidi (referring to Upper Egypt) Director of Coptic and Islamic monumental area in upper Egypt.
Strengths: Backed up by the members of Masr Al Qawmy members
***
Ahmed Shafiq
Party/Ideology: Independent
Bio: Graduate of the Air Force Academy and holds a master's degree in military sciences and a PhD in military strategy. Mr. Shafiq served as the military attaché in the Egyptian embassy in Rome (1984-86), then as Air Force chief of staff (1991-96) and as commander of the Egyptian Air Force (1996-02) and Minister of Civil Aviation (02-11). He was appointed as Prime Minister on January 29, 2011 till March 3, 2011.
Strengths: His promises to end perceived state of lawlessness in the country within 30 days of the start of his presidency could be appealing. His commitment to Mubarak-era neo-liberal economic policies appeals to businessmen. His association with the Mubarak regime for decades makes him a favourite among many supporters of the ousted president.
Weaknesses: His close ties with Mubarak and SCAF, make him an unpopular candidate especially for those who concerned about taking the revolution forward.
***
Amr Moussa
Party/Ideology: Independent
Bio: Graduate of the law school, Cairo University. He was Egypt's ambassador to India (1983-86), and Representative of the country to the United Nations in January 1990. Served as foreign minister (1991-01) during which his scathing criticism of Israel made him a popular figure on the Egyptian street. Served as secretary-general of the Arab League (2001-11)
Strengths: Extensive experience in diplomacy and politics and the strong relations with Arab and world leaders are a plus. Anecdotal evidence suggests Mr. Mubarak was threatened by Moussa's rapport with the people, which now allows him to distance himself from the former regime in the eyes of the revolutionaries. On the other hand, his association with the regime also allows him to attract votes from many people who have opposed the revolution.
Some Coptic voters who fear the rise of Islamists might turn to Mr. Moussa because of his liberal views on social issues.
Weaknesses: At 75, Mr. Moussa is seen by some as out-of-touch with the youthful revolution. His tenure as Arab League secretary-general and close relationships with various anti-democratic Arab regimes, especially in the Gulf, also tarnished his image among some voters.
***
Mahmoud Hossam El Din Galal
Party/Ideology: Independent
Bio: Former Police Officer
***
Mohamed Khairat El Shater
Party/Ideology: Independent
Bio: An Egyptian engineer, business man and Islamist political activist who is the Muslim Brotherhood's candidate for the Egyptian presidential election in 2012. He was the deputy supreme guide for the Brotherhood and the main financier and chief strategist of the Brotherhood. Yet, he resigned from the MB on March 31, 2012 to run for presidency.
Under Mubarak regime, he was imprisoned from 2007 until his release by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces in March 2011. His efforts were the main reason behind the majority contribution of the Freedom and Justice Party (political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood) in 2011/12 parliamentary elections.
Strengths: Backed by the Muslim Brotherhood, which secured majority seats in the recent-concluded parliamentary elections. Mr. El Shater has the means to fund his presidential campaign and is considered comparatively liberal compared to his ultraconservative Salafi counterpart.
Weaknesses: His religious orientation may drive voters already fearing Muslim Brotherhood 'monopoly ' over key positions.
***
Mohamed Mamdouh Qotb
Party/Ideology: Al-Hadara Party - Centrist Secular Party
Bio: Mr. Qotb is a former intelligence officer and Al-Hadara (Egyptian Civilization Party) nominee for presidential elections, in which he represents the platform of his party, which is working to establish a civil Egypt with Islamic law as the main source of legislation. Qotb is a free-market economic supporter and favours adjustment of minimum wage.
Strengths: Mr. Qotb advocate his party's 'compromising platform' which could attract segments of voters who fear the dominance of Islamic parties.
Weaknesses: Low-profile campaign compared to the other more well-known competitors from liberal and conservative ends of the spectrum.
***
Mohamed Morsy
Party/Ideology: Freedom and Justice Party - Islamic
Bio: Chairman of Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), Mr. Morsy was the Muslim Brotherhood's MP in 2000 until 2005.
Strengths: Backed by the Muslim Brotherhood.
Weaknesses: Competition with another Muslim brotherhood member Khairat El Shater.
***
Mohamed Selim El Awa
Party/Ideology: Independent - Islamic (Moderate)
Bio: Graduate of law school, Alexandria University and obtained a PhD in philosophy from London School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). He also holds diplomas in public and Islamic law. He worked as the secretary general of the International Union for Muslim Scholars. He is one of the founders of the Arab Muslim-Christian Dialogue group in 1994.
He worked as a legal consultant for several governments including those of the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Sudan, Yemen and Pakistan.
Strengths: Many Islamists, who would not vote for Salafist candidates such as Hazem Salah Abu-Ismail, and find Abdel-Moneim Abul-Fotouh too liberal, might find in Mr. El-Awaa moderate Islamist open to dialogue and coexistence with other political and social forces.
Weaknesses: His staunch support for the ruling military council has alienated many supporters of the revolution. Mr. El-Awa enjoys respectable following among sections of the youth of the powerful Muslim Brotherhood. He does not have the official support of the leadership of the Brotherhood.
***
Murtada Mansour
Party/Ideology: Masr Al Qawmy Party - Liberal
Bio: A lawyer and judge, Mr Mansour ran in several parliamentary elections but did not win until 2000. In 2005, he became the president of one of the best-known sporting clubs in Egypt, Al-Zamalek.
Strengths: His anti-corruption stands against the former president Hosni Mubarak's appealed to many.
Weaknesses: Mr. Mansour's alleged involvement in the now-famous 'Battle of the Camel' incident has left him few supporters among those backing the revolution. The presence of other stronger lawyers in the race does not help his cause either.
***
Omar Suleiman
Party/Ideology: Independent
Bio: Graduate of the Military Academy, Mr Suleiman, became deputy head of military intelligence in 1986, and its director in 1991. Served as Chief of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service (1993-2011). Served as the Vice President of Egypt briefly in 2011.
Strengths: His association with the Mubarak regime for decades makes him a favourite among many supporters of the ousted president. His commitment to Mubarak-era neoliberal economic policies appeals to businessmen who rally to keep the private sector a driving force in the country.
Weakness: At 76 years, he is seen by many as out of touch with the youthful energy associated with the revolution. Long association with Mr. Mubarak, but he did not take part in his National Democratic Party (NDP).
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