Whereas the US seems to have nearly continual political campaigning, the Egyptian process is far more brief. Hopeful candidates are to register from March 10 through April 8. There are only 21 days of official campaigning that are set to begin on April 30. The elections will then be held on May 23 and 24; if necessary, a runoff will be held on June 16 and 17, with the final results being announced by June 21.
As of yet, from what I can find, the Muslim Brotherhood have yet to endorse a candidate. Imagine either of the main US parties not endorsing a candidate with such few days remaining until the election!
According to this REPORT, more than 500 have applied to be a candidate in the upcoming election. But, there are 8 leading candidates that I have been able to discover; each name also represents a link to articles from one of the local newspapers that introduces the candidate with a nickname:
Selim al-Awa
Abdel Moneim Abouel Fotouh
Amr Moussa
Mansour Hassan
Ahmed Shafiq
Hazem Abu Ismail
Hamdeen Sabbahi
NEW: Abul Ezz al-Hariry
NEW: Omar Suleiman UPDATE: Omar
NEW: The "Outsiders"
Khaled Ali
The last in the list doesn't yet have the official write up like the others. I know that one newer Egyptian Christian that we have talked to is very interested in the possibility of supporting the younger Ali. The former in the list are older, more established politicians. Everyone is, of course, attempting to connect themselves to the revolution and the young revolutionaries that have made all the news in the past year, while simultaneously attempting to disconnect themselves from the former political regimes and the current SCAF (Supreme Council of the Armed Forces). Each of the candidates are also similarly seeking to make bold statements of ending foreign (US) dependance and charting a new, independent Egyptian government and military.
Whether or not the masses have a clear sense of a unified vision and desire for the result of the revolution is unclear. As revolution hopes to birth renewal, it will be interesting to watch and see how this political process plays out.
As of yet, from what I can find, the Muslim Brotherhood have yet to endorse a candidate. Imagine either of the main US parties not endorsing a candidate with such few days remaining until the election!According to this REPORT, more than 500 have applied to be a candidate in the upcoming election. But, there are 8 leading candidates that I have been able to discover; each name also represents a link to articles from one of the local newspapers that introduces the candidate with a nickname:
Selim al-Awa
Abdel Moneim Abouel Fotouh
Amr Moussa
Mansour Hassan
Ahmed Shafiq
Hazem Abu Ismail
Hamdeen Sabbahi
NEW: Abul Ezz al-Hariry
NEW: Omar Suleiman UPDATE: Omar
NEW: The "Outsiders"
Khaled Ali
The last in the list doesn't yet have the official write up like the others. I know that one newer Egyptian Christian that we have talked to is very interested in the possibility of supporting the younger Ali. The former in the list are older, more established politicians. Everyone is, of course, attempting to connect themselves to the revolution and the young revolutionaries that have made all the news in the past year, while simultaneously attempting to disconnect themselves from the former political regimes and the current SCAF (Supreme Council of the Armed Forces). Each of the candidates are also similarly seeking to make bold statements of ending foreign (US) dependance and charting a new, independent Egyptian government and military.
Whether or not the masses have a clear sense of a unified vision and desire for the result of the revolution is unclear. As revolution hopes to birth renewal, it will be interesting to watch and see how this political process plays out.
They have a good chance of electing someone better than we'll elect...
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