Egypt PM Backs Delaying Elections
Egypt’s prime minister has stated delaying the September parliamentary election would give parties more time to prepare.
“Postponing the election would give the chance for a larger number of new political parties to develop,” said Prime Minister Dr. Essam Sharaf, quoted by state-owned newspaper Al-Ahram on Sunday.
However, “whatever the time of the election, we will exert all efforts to make it a success,” Sharaf said.
A September election is expected to boost Islamists, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood, which has formed a party to contest some half of parliament’s 508 elected seats. Last week, authorities approved the first Islamic political party — the Noor party — which, like the Brotherhood, wants the election held on time.
