Habib for Ikhwan Web: We Expected to Win 60-80 Seats

Habib: We Expected to Win 60-80 Seats

Ikhwan Web Talking with Dr/Mohammed Habib vice-president of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt

The Muslim Brotherhood achieved unprecedented gains in the ongoing Egyptian parliamentary election where it won 47 parliamentary seats and still have the chance to gain maybe more than the double of this number. A fact that showed the Brotherhood as the main challenger, if not the sole, to the ruling National Democratic Party.

This success raised a lot of questions that we directed to the Brotherhood’s deputy leader, Muhammad Habeeb, to comment on.

Dr. Habeeb, what does this unprecedented number of parliamentary seats mean?

It shows the political awareness of the Egyptians and their sense of responsibility to elect well-qualified nominees disregarding all media attempts to distort the Brotherhood. It, in addition, shows the Egyptians’ persistence to vote and to participate in shaping their future in spite of the hinders they meet.

–         What is your evaluation of the performance of the Brotherhood during the vote process?

       There are many factors that led together to that positive performance of the Ikhwan during the elections. The logistical and early preparation along with objective estimation of our nominees and their competitors had a positive effect.

Moreover, the great efforts of the Brotherhood to urge people to cast votes, the widespread election propaganda, the supervision of polling centers and electoral commissions contributed to this sweeping victory.

–         Some think that you have campaigned under the sense-touching slogan ’Islam is the solution’ to affect people’s sentiments, what do say?

All these claims are a part of media war launched on the Brotherhood and which turned infertile.

 Had only the slogan been the operative force behind the Brotherhood’s large-scale gains, why does not the National Democratic Party use it?

Furthermore, I would like to highlight that the group’s slogan is not restricted to the Brotherhood but public; in conformity to the second article of the Egyptian constitution that stipulates that ’Islam is the state’s official religion and is the source of legislation.’ In fact, Islam should be our choice to lead a better life.

–         Does the unexpected win of 34 seats in the first round stimulates the NDP to adopt new approach toward the Brotherhood during the second and the third phases?

 Unfortunately, this major gain agitated the NDP and provoked it to use every pattern of violence to intimidate voters and to deny nominees’ representatives access to polling stations.

–         What is the outright tally of seats you expect to win after the third stage of voting?

It may range between 60-80 seats.

–         Do you think that this Brotherhood’s major representation in the parliament will be fruitful?

Of course, the coming parliament will be more effective than the outgoing one. However, it larger presence of the Brotherhood will not cause profound change for the NDP grabs the majority that is required to pass and enact laws.

–         The vote showed the Brotherhood’s strength and its rivalry to the NDP…does not the Brotherhood think to put up one of its leaders as a candidate in the coming presidential election?

We do not pay attention to such hypothesis for we are more concerned with structural reforms.

–         What is the agenda of the Brotherhood in the next parliament?

Freedom comes on top of our priorities, then come development and education.

–         Will the Brotherhood seek to launch a political party during this parliament?

The formation of a political party is the outcome of a healthy and sound political atmosphere. On the contrary, the current political structure is unpromising for the law that regulates parties is a loophole in itself. Therefore, we should firstly provide an encouraging condition that secure freedom; of press, of trade union…in such case we can form a party.

–         What is your comment on the poor show of the opposition parties during the poll?

We should bear in mind that the National Front for Change is newly-formed; it did not have enough time to prepare itself or to put its program across to people.

–         Will there any potential cooperation between the Brotherhood and the opposition parties in the parliament?

Of course, there will be tangible coordination with all other powers as we believe that reform is an end that needs unified efforts of all groups.