Hamdeen Sabbahi, a potential candidate in the presidential elections, demanded that the state institutions remain neutral in the elections, claiming that they were not neutral to him in all elections he ran in.
At a meeting with the youth of the Egyptian Democratic Party on Thursday evening, Sabbahi said the army is facing terrorism both internally and externally, as it is the only intact army in the region.
“Eradicating terrorism must not be by suppressing freedoms,” he said. “It should be fought with thought and culture.”
He said he would seek the votes of the Muslim Brotherhood, but would not meet with the group even if it asked.
“A revolution must destroy the remnants of the previous regime,” he said. “I am betting on those wishing for social justice and democracy in the elections.”
He demanded guarantees of fair elections. “I invite the European Union to supervise the elections,” he said, adding that he would immediately withdraw if the state puts obstacles in front of him or arrests the youth that are campaigning for him.
Former MP Mohamed Abu Hamed tweeted that Sabbahi is a strategic ally of the Muslim Brotherhood even before the January revolution, and that his party was on their lists in the previous parliamentary elections. “Of course they will give you their votes,” he wrote. “I ask you to give up your political adolescence and grow up.”
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
