Audio By Carbonatix
Egypt's top political parties have agreed to nominate a member of the Muslim Brotherhood as the nation's next parliament speaker, the first time in decades that an Islamist would hold that post.
The Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party won more than 40% of the seats in recent elections and is expected to lead the country's first parliament chosen since the ouster of former President Hosni Mubarak.
The FJP-led alliance nominated its secretary-general, Mohamed al-Katatni, as parliament speaker.
Al-Katatni, described as a moderate on the Brotherhood's website, was detained by Mubarak's state security forces together with FJP leaders Essam El-Erian and Mohamed Morsi, the chairman of the FJP.
The parliament, which will be seated later this month, must appoint a 100-member panel to write a new Egyptian constitution. Presidential elections are set for June.
Liberals fear that electoral gains for Islamists will steer Egypt down a rigid path away from democracy.
Morsi tried to reassure Egyptians that the new constitution "will be drafted without exemption of any stakeholders or exclusion of any parties, forces or currents."
"We continue the march of the peaceful revolution, the Egyptian revolution of January 25, which has achieved some of its objectives and as yet continues to achieve remaining ones," he said. "There is no doubt that the parliamentary election results were expressive of all Egyptians and their free will, the new parliament, too."
The agreement, signed Monday by six leading political parties, also allows the hardline Al Nour party and the liberal Al Wafd party to nominate two deputy speakers.
But Al Wafd was not present at the meeting and did not sign the agreement.
"We were not informed of about the meeting and will announce our decision after our board meeting on Thursday," Bahaa Abu Shaka, Al Wafd's deputy chief, told CNN.
The new parliament convenes a year after popular revolts erupted, eventually leading to Mubarak's downfall.
The longtime dictator is on trial on charges of corruption and ordering the deaths of hundreds of protesters.
The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces has led Egypt's government since Mubarak's fall. It has said it will hand over power to a new government once one is in place.
But the transition has not been quick or transparent enough for some Egyptians. A series of protests in Cairo last month resulted in violent and sometimes deadly clashes between demonstrators and soldiers.
Gen. Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, who heads the Supreme Council, is expected to address the new parliament, according to the Morals Affairs Military Department.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
The diplomacy at play behind the King’s speeches
4 minutes -
Russia scales back Moscow Victory Day parade, blaming threat from Ukraine
12 minutes -
From foundation to failure: Policy lessons on why construction stalls
13 minutes -
A man’s sense of authority, stress levels, and communication can make or break intimacy – Marriage experts
13 minutes -
Mahama inspects renewed protection efforts at tidal wave-hit Fuveme and Blekusu projects
18 minutes -
rCOMSDEP engages Northern Regional Minister on small-scale miners registration drive
27 minutes -
Ghana Armwrestling Federation secures Next Level Energy Drink partnership for 15th African Championship
32 minutes -
Driver remanded for allegedly defiling girl, 12
40 minutes -
BoG 2025 Financial Statements: The figures will soon judge the voyage
42 minutes -
Gender Minister engages Queen Mothers to deepen push for gender parity, inclusive development
44 minutes -
Gender Minister engages amputees, pledges stronger push for disability inclusion
48 minutes -
Winneba Prisons supports Aboakyer Festival with donation to Effutu Traditional Council
1 hour -
Media Convergence Conference opens in Accra with call to rethink traditional journalism in digital era
1 hour -
ECG assures power outages are temporary as grid stabilisation works continue
1 hour -
Ghana develops national child labour indicators
1 hour