Presidential candidate Mohamed ElBaradei said on Saturday that the key demands of the 25 January revolution should be met before campaigns for the parliamentary elections get underway. He cited a number of demands that have yet to be fulfilled, including the prosecution of former President Hosni Mubarak and several senior members of his regime.
ElBaradei made the statements during a meeting with young people participating in his official presidential campaign. Members of several revolutionary youth organizations are calling to expedite the trial of ousted president Hosni Mubarak, his family and senior officials from his regime, as well as to replace current governors.
The Public Prosecution is investigating Mubarak and others over crimes of corruption and the illegal accumulation of wealth.
However, some Egyptians complain that the pace of the investigations is too slow, and fear that Mubarak and his former cohorts might be allowed to escape trial. Several thousand people staged a protest in Tahrir Square on Friday, seeking to draw attention to these issues and pressure the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to expedite matters.
During his meeting with young activists, ElBaradei suggested creating a unified list of 500 candidates for the parliamentary election that includes people from across the political spectrum. He said the list would include figures who agree on basic principles such as equality and social justice.
ElBaradei highlighted the paramount importance of the upcoming parliament, which will form a panel to write a new constitution that will shape the country’s future.
ElBaradei said he will start his electoral tours soon, and will focus on marginalized groups such as Bedouins, Upper Egyptians, residents of squatter settlements and Nubians, as well as expatriate Egyptians, who contribute to the country’s economy yet are deprived of citizenship rights.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
