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Candidate for President in Egypt Tempers His Expectations Candidate for President in Egypt Tempers His Expectations
(about 11 hours later)
CAIRO — Hamdeen Sabahi says he does not really expect a fair race against his opponent for president of Egypt, the former military officer who led the takeover of the elected government.CAIRO — Hamdeen Sabahi says he does not really expect a fair race against his opponent for president of Egypt, the former military officer who led the takeover of the elected government.
The state, he said, has already shown “bias” toward Abdul-Fattah el-Sisi, so he has set a considerably less ambitious goal: he just wants a guarantee that there will not be blatant fixing. “I insist that it doesn’t including rigging in the sense of direct, flagrant alteration of the will of the people,” he said in a recent interview in his office. The state, he said, has already shown “bias” toward Abdul-Fattah el-Sisi, so he has set a considerably less ambitious goal: he just wants a guarantee that there will not be blatant fixing. “I insist that it doesn’t include rigging in the sense of direct, flagrant alteration of the will of the people,” he said in a recent interview in his office.
His meager expectations in many ways illustrate the breakdown of Egypt’s political life since the presidential election two years ago, when an energetic six-candidate race delivered spirited public policy debates, unforeseen turns and, finally, the first fairly elected president in the nation’s modern history.His meager expectations in many ways illustrate the breakdown of Egypt’s political life since the presidential election two years ago, when an energetic six-candidate race delivered spirited public policy debates, unforeseen turns and, finally, the first fairly elected president in the nation’s modern history.
But in the coming contest scheduled for May 26 and 27 —the first election since the military ousted Mohamed Morsi, the former president, in July — Egyptians have seen their options dwindle to only two candidates: Mr. Sabahi, a leftist activist and former political prisoner who finished third in the last presidential election; and the former general, Mr. Sisi, the preferred candidate of the military, Egypt’s most powerful and popular institution.But in the coming contest scheduled for May 26 and 27 —the first election since the military ousted Mohamed Morsi, the former president, in July — Egyptians have seen their options dwindle to only two candidates: Mr. Sabahi, a leftist activist and former political prisoner who finished third in the last presidential election; and the former general, Mr. Sisi, the preferred candidate of the military, Egypt’s most powerful and popular institution.
Given a sense of inevitability surrounding Mr. Sisi’s bid, it was “courageous” of Mr. Sabahi to run at all, said Rabab el-Mahdi, a political scientist at the American University of Cairo. But, she added, “You don’t know if he is someone standing in front of a train or if he is a signpost.”Given a sense of inevitability surrounding Mr. Sisi’s bid, it was “courageous” of Mr. Sabahi to run at all, said Rabab el-Mahdi, a political scientist at the American University of Cairo. But, she added, “You don’t know if he is someone standing in front of a train or if he is a signpost.”
His supporters say it is foolish to dismiss Mr. Sabahi, who served in Parliament and is known as one of Egypt’s savviest politicians. His willingness to criticize Mr. Sisi has only broadened his appeal, they say.His supporters say it is foolish to dismiss Mr. Sabahi, who served in Parliament and is known as one of Egypt’s savviest politicians. His willingness to criticize Mr. Sisi has only broadened his appeal, they say.
“I am the son of a popular movement,” Mr. Sabahi said. “Abdul-Fattah el-Sisi is the son of Egyptian state institutions.”“I am the son of a popular movement,” Mr. Sabahi said. “Abdul-Fattah el-Sisi is the son of Egyptian state institutions.”
But Professor el-Mahdi noted that Mr. Sabahi seemed to be attacking his opponent with less ferocity than he had shown in the last presidential election, one of many aspects of his candidacy that has led to questions about his motives.But Professor el-Mahdi noted that Mr. Sabahi seemed to be attacking his opponent with less ferocity than he had shown in the last presidential election, one of many aspects of his candidacy that has led to questions about his motives.
Critics of the military fear that the presence of Mr. Sabahi — who was a strong supporter of the military takeover — has lent undeserved legitimacy to a contest that strikes many as political theater. Mr. Sisi has yet to agree to participate in a public debate or to release any specific policy proposals, they note, reinforcing the notion that the election is a formality.Critics of the military fear that the presence of Mr. Sabahi — who was a strong supporter of the military takeover — has lent undeserved legitimacy to a contest that strikes many as political theater. Mr. Sisi has yet to agree to participate in a public debate or to release any specific policy proposals, they note, reinforcing the notion that the election is a formality.
Mr. Sabahi’s first major campaign event on Wednesday at a downtown Cairo hotel — an opportunity, perhaps, to breathe some fire into his candidacy — was instead dedicated to sober policy proposals.Mr. Sabahi’s first major campaign event on Wednesday at a downtown Cairo hotel — an opportunity, perhaps, to breathe some fire into his candidacy — was instead dedicated to sober policy proposals.
After Mr. Morsi’s polarizing tenure, the sense of political possibility in the country began to evaporate over the last 10 months as Mr. Sisi soared to prominence. His portrait was held aloft in public squares and hung in government buildings, as the military-backed cabinet eviscerated much of Egypt’s Islamist political opposition, killing or imprisoning thousands of Mr. Morsi’s supporters.After Mr. Morsi’s polarizing tenure, the sense of political possibility in the country began to evaporate over the last 10 months as Mr. Sisi soared to prominence. His portrait was held aloft in public squares and hung in government buildings, as the military-backed cabinet eviscerated much of Egypt’s Islamist political opposition, killing or imprisoning thousands of Mr. Morsi’s supporters.
Secular-leaning opponents — especially those who have spoken out against the military’s involvement in politics — have also been imprisoned. At the same time, a deadly campaign of attacks by militants targeting members of the security services has reduced the public discourse to monologues about terrorism and security by officials and the state and private news media.Secular-leaning opponents — especially those who have spoken out against the military’s involvement in politics — have also been imprisoned. At the same time, a deadly campaign of attacks by militants targeting members of the security services has reduced the public discourse to monologues about terrorism and security by officials and the state and private news media.
Several candidates who ran in the last election have declined to compete, dismissing the exercise as pointless. And Mr. Sisi, having swapped his fatigues for a suit, has so far conducted himself as if the presidency is already his, meeting with foreign dignitaries while avoiding public appearances or interviews that might provide insight into his plans.Several candidates who ran in the last election have declined to compete, dismissing the exercise as pointless. And Mr. Sisi, having swapped his fatigues for a suit, has so far conducted himself as if the presidency is already his, meeting with foreign dignitaries while avoiding public appearances or interviews that might provide insight into his plans.
Mr. Sabahi, whose campaign posters are nearly impossible to locate, has been left trying to sharpen the differences between the two men on his own.Mr. Sabahi, whose campaign posters are nearly impossible to locate, has been left trying to sharpen the differences between the two men on his own.
That task is complicated by Mr. Sabahi’s own record, his fondness for vague, populist appeals and his legacy as a leader of the quarreling opposition under Mr. Morsi.That task is complicated by Mr. Sabahi’s own record, his fondness for vague, populist appeals and his legacy as a leader of the quarreling opposition under Mr. Morsi.
He has continued to defend the storming of Islamist sit-ins by the security forces in August that killed hundreds of protesters, and has voiced support for a government decision to ban the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamist movement that Mr. Morsi belongs to, calling the group “tyrannical.”He has continued to defend the storming of Islamist sit-ins by the security forces in August that killed hundreds of protesters, and has voiced support for a government decision to ban the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamist movement that Mr. Morsi belongs to, calling the group “tyrannical.”
But Mr. Sabahi, who founded a Nasserist party and has been sent to jail for his political activism over the years, has also criticized the government — and Mr. Sisi — in a manner seldom heard in Egypt these days. In the interview, he condemned the detentions of political prisoners, including Brotherhood members, and lamented that an “unacceptable McCarthyism” had cast a shadow over the country.But Mr. Sabahi, who founded a Nasserist party and has been sent to jail for his political activism over the years, has also criticized the government — and Mr. Sisi — in a manner seldom heard in Egypt these days. In the interview, he condemned the detentions of political prisoners, including Brotherhood members, and lamented that an “unacceptable McCarthyism” had cast a shadow over the country.
He spoke about the need for “tolerance and reconciliation” after months of bloodshed, another rare sentiment here.He spoke about the need for “tolerance and reconciliation” after months of bloodshed, another rare sentiment here.
Nonetheless, he was careful in criticizing Mr. Sisi, saying he would reserve judgment on his policies until the former general’s campaign released its platform. Mr. Sabahi questioned whether Mr. Sisi — who served as the country’s de facto leader during the most divisive period in recent memory — could ever unify the country. “If he’s part of the crisis,” Mr. Sabahi said, “will he be the most suitable person to present the solution?” Mr. Sabahi has been more direct in private: In an apparently leaked recording circulated on the Internet, the candidate can be heard referring to a “trial” for Mr. Sisi.Nonetheless, he was careful in criticizing Mr. Sisi, saying he would reserve judgment on his policies until the former general’s campaign released its platform. Mr. Sabahi questioned whether Mr. Sisi — who served as the country’s de facto leader during the most divisive period in recent memory — could ever unify the country. “If he’s part of the crisis,” Mr. Sabahi said, “will he be the most suitable person to present the solution?” Mr. Sabahi has been more direct in private: In an apparently leaked recording circulated on the Internet, the candidate can be heard referring to a “trial” for Mr. Sisi.
Members of Mr. Sabahi’s team said they had already seen evidence of tampering in the race, though they did not accuse Mr. Sisi of being directly responsible. The campaign struggled to muster the 25,000 signatures required for Mr. Sabahi to qualify, hampered, aides said, by mysterious problems at registration stations and shadowy attacks by his opponent’s supporters.Members of Mr. Sabahi’s team said they had already seen evidence of tampering in the race, though they did not accuse Mr. Sisi of being directly responsible. The campaign struggled to muster the 25,000 signatures required for Mr. Sabahi to qualify, hampered, aides said, by mysterious problems at registration stations and shadowy attacks by his opponent’s supporters.
But Mr. Sisi does not appear to need much help to win. He has drawn support from segments of the public weary after years of upheaval, including voters who seem to yearn for a strong hand to lead the country.But Mr. Sisi does not appear to need much help to win. He has drawn support from segments of the public weary after years of upheaval, including voters who seem to yearn for a strong hand to lead the country.
Despite Mr. Sisi’s advantages, Mr. Sabahi — a lifelong politician who rose to prominence as a student activist — had no choice but to run, said Gasser Abdel-Razek, a human-rights activist who is supporting Mr. Sabahi’s candidacy. He could not wait for Egypt’s fickle politics to present the perfect opportunity. “This is what he does,” Mr. Abdel-Razek said.Despite Mr. Sisi’s advantages, Mr. Sabahi — a lifelong politician who rose to prominence as a student activist — had no choice but to run, said Gasser Abdel-Razek, a human-rights activist who is supporting Mr. Sabahi’s candidacy. He could not wait for Egypt’s fickle politics to present the perfect opportunity. “This is what he does,” Mr. Abdel-Razek said.
“He can win a significant number of votes, if he keeps saying things that can get him into trouble,” Mr. Abdel-Razek added.“He can win a significant number of votes, if he keeps saying things that can get him into trouble,” Mr. Abdel-Razek added.