Egypt’s Muslim Brothers supports the transitional period mapped out by SCAF Cairo – Akram Ali The Secretary General of the Freedom and Justice Party FJP, the political arm of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, Mohamed Saad El-Katatny stated that the meeting between Prime Minister Kamal Ganzouri and FJP’s Chairman Mohamed Morsi, focused on coordination and compatibility between the parliament and the government regarding the management of the transitional phase, which requires agreement between the legislative and executive authorities.
In a statement, El-Katatny said that the current situation in Egypt is different from normal political situations elsewhere: “We have a majority that is not represented by a government, and a government that is not based on a parliamentary majority, which requires reconciling issues between the government and Parliament, especially with regard to urgent legislative agenda that needs consensus and agreement between the two.” He explained that the meeting with Ganzouri was to explore the government’s views on the most important legislation that it may present to the People’s Assembly during the coming period, and also the most important legislation that the FJP will present, so that there is agreement on the legislative agenda during the next phase.
He also pointed out that FJP’s Chairman Mohamed Morsi emphasized that suggestions for power handover to the elected parliament before the 25th of January 2012 are not consistent with the nature of the transitional period that requires a speedy completion of Shura Council elections and selection of the Constituent Assembly that will draft the new constitution, which together will coincide with presidential election procedures to be completed by the end of next June, as per the road-map agreed upon by political forces and parties.
Moreover, El-Katatny stressed that there are ongoing consultations between the parties of the Democratic Alliance, which fought the elections under the FJP candidate list, and between the main parties and blocs in parliament, so as to shape the upcoming People’s Assembly that will ensure representation of said blocs in parliament.
El-Katatny reiterated the Brotherhood’s stance, which is against opening the floor for presidential candidacies on 25 January, as suggested by a group of political figures, saying the Brotherhood supports the continuation of the transitional period mapped out by the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces SCAF, which is scheduled to hand over power 30 June 2012.
He also described debate over whether Ganzouri’s interim government would remain in office or be replaced after the People's Assembly convenes as “premature”, adding that the matter was not brought up during the meeting with Ganzouri.
El-Katatny further said the meeting with Ganzouri was “friendly” and “brotherly,” describing Ganzouri as a “dedicated” individual.