ElBaradei's return to Cairo sparks debate about potential presidential candidacy

By Mohammed Mahmoud in Cairo
For Al-Shorfa.com
2010-02-23

[KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty Images] An ElBaradei supporter holds a newspaper featuring a story about his return to Egypt.

Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei's return to Egypt following the end of his term as head of the International Atomic Energy Agency sparked many questions regarding his potential candidacy in Egypt's 2011 presidential election.

ElBaradei returned to Cairo from Vienna last week following the end of his third term at the IAEA. Hundreds of Egyptians from various Egyptian provinces welcomed ElBaradei at the Cairo airport, carrying banners that read "Yes to ElBaradei as president for Egypt" and "We love you Baradei. Bring us change".

He was also received by dozens of public figures and artists, including novelist Alaa al-Aswani, artist Khaled Abu-al-Naja and journalist Hamdi Qandil.

A number of analysts told Al-Shorfa that the massive reception ElBaradei received would kick start a drive for political and democratic reform in Egypt by bringing forward a strong list of candidates in the next elections.

Dr. Hasan Nafaah, a professor of political science at Cairo University, told Al-Shorfa that "the presence of ElBaradei at this time, before the presidential elections, is a confirmation for the Egyptian political groups and people that there are alternatives and many candidates before the Egyptian voter, and that change is now in his court."

He added that ElBaradei's return may change the political stagnation that Egypt has experienced over the past 50 years.

Nafaah also demanded the amendment of articles in the Egyptian Constitution linked to running for presidency. "Article 76 of the Constitution prevents the majority of the Egyptian people from running for president because of the restrictions and conditions placed in front of any politician willing to nominate himself for presidency."

According to article 76, an independent candidate must obtain the approval of 250 members of the elected legislative councils, including the parliament, the Shura Council and the local municipal councils. It also stipulates that partisan candidates must have served in a leading position in their parties for at least one year.

Speaking about the impact of ElBaradei's return to Egypt's internal politics, Nafaah said, "Coming out of the political stagnation and mobilizing the political groups towards amending the Constitution is an important goal. The push that ElBaradei gave to his supporters and the media to speak out about the issue will reflect positively in the coming months on the efforts by many political groups to amend the Constitution and hold free and transparent elections."

Egypt held its first multi-candidate presidential elections in 2005, which current President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak won after obtaining 88% of the votes against Ayman Nour from the Al-Ghad party, and Dr. No'man Joumaa from the Al-Wafd Party.

Egyptian novelist Alaa al-Aswani said that the presence of ElBaradei will have a "very positive" effect on Egyptian politics. He told Al-Shorfa that "the entry of ElBaradei into the political arena will greatly contribute to supporting the activists who fight for freedom and democracy," adding that the question of whether or not he will be nominated for president "is not important now."

For his part, journalist Hamdi Qandil said that the support showed by many for ElBaradei is not confined to the presidential elections, since this will be decided when we see ElBaradei's platform if he runs for office.

"The hundreds of Egyptians who received ElBaradei at the airport sent a clear message that everyone needs change and a better future," Qandil said in an interview with Al-Shorfa. "Even if this change comes through one step that we take today by receiving ElBaradei, and tomorrow by amending the articles of the Constitution."

Meanwhile, most Egyptian parties and political groups expressed support for ElBaradei, except for the banned Muslim Brotherhood, which has yet to announce its position.

Mohammed Abd al-Quddous, the leader of the Brotherhood, told Al-Shorfa that his group was not against ElBaradei, especially when he did not stand against it, but that they expect him to respect the Brotherhood’s important status in Egypt's political scene, he said.

Meanwhile, reactions were divided in the Egyptian street.

Hanani Riziq, a 43-year-old tourist guide, said, "I came from Aswan province in southern Egypt to receive ElBaradei and to spend several days in Cairo to take part in any activities that may be held in his support."

He added, "I want a better future for my children in education, health and work. I do not want to see my son unemployed as it happened with me at the beginning of my career."

But Amal Mahmoud, a female university student, said, "I did not go to the airport to receive him. I felt that he will not change anything in the future as change cannot be achieved by one person."

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