After his successful overhaul of Egypt's constitution, the country's charismatic military chief is in prime position to become the next civilian leader.
But any presidential run for Gen. Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, which he has suggested he is considering, poses great political risks for him.
The new charter, which passed overwhelmingly in a national referendum last week, empowers the military and takes authority away from the presidency. That could deal Gen. Sisi a loss of power if he leaves his army post.
Support for the constitution was seen as the first electoral barometer of Gen. Sisi's popularity. But while it passed with 98.1% of votes, relatively few Egyptians turned out—38.6% of eligible voters, amid voter apathy and a boycott by the Muslim Brotherhood Islamist political movement.
Egypt's next leader also faces the challenge of fixing a battered economy, a process that could alienate Egypt's large working class and erode popular support.
A violent insurgency against the military and police in Egypt's Northern Sinai region will also test the next leader's popularity.
"I am at a bit of a loss for why Sisi would run," said Josh Stacher, an Egypt expert at Kent State University.
Mr. Stacher said the drumbeat of support from ordinary Egyptians and many in the political and business elite could motivate his candidacy, so that he would avoid looking "like he's not really fulfilling a national duty."
Gen. Sisi has said he would only run if there were popular demand and military support. A military spokesman said on Monday that Gen. Sisi, who is also the minister of defense, remains undecided on a presidential bid. Presidential and parliamentary elections are planned for this year; dates haven't been set.Read the rest of the story HERE.
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1 comment:
IMHO...If Al-Sisi decides to Run, he'll have to choose his replacement as Defense Minister wisely.
My advice..Choose a general who doesn't where his Islamic Faith on his sleeve. Someone who may not even practice it or is a Muslim in name only. Better Yet..Choose a Coptic Christian, unless of course there aren't any in the ranks....Boy, what a message that would send..
The point is, it must be someone that COULD NOT be influenced by those clerics who will most likely try to slither their way back into influence and power.
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