Egyptians divided on presidential race
- 12 years ago
Egyptians are sharply divided over upcoming presidential elections, which are the culmination of a tortuous and messy transition triggered by the ousting of former President Hosni Mubarak 16 months ago.
The controversial election pits Ahmed Shafik, Mubarak's last prime minster, against Mohamed Morsy from the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood.
Morsy and his supporters dismiss Shafik as a remnant of the Mubarak era who will wipe out the democratic gains of last year's uprising.
To some, however, Shafik's pledge of order and inclusion is more appealing, paired with fears of an Islamist-dominated state.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) EGYPTIAN MAN, EMAD ATEF, SAYING:
"Honestly both of the candidates are good, but I think that it's better during this period to give our votes to Ahmed Shafik.''
Some Egyptians find themselves unwilling to support either candidate.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) EGYPTIAN MAN, AHMED MAHER, SAYING:
"In my opinion there should be a good candidate, but there isn't one present right now. And we don't want things to go back to the way they were, nor do we want to transform into a religious state. We want the real, moderate Egypt."
Results of the presidential election will be announced on June 21.
Sarah Sheffer, Reuters
The controversial election pits Ahmed Shafik, Mubarak's last prime minster, against Mohamed Morsy from the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood.
Morsy and his supporters dismiss Shafik as a remnant of the Mubarak era who will wipe out the democratic gains of last year's uprising.
To some, however, Shafik's pledge of order and inclusion is more appealing, paired with fears of an Islamist-dominated state.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) EGYPTIAN MAN, EMAD ATEF, SAYING:
"Honestly both of the candidates are good, but I think that it's better during this period to give our votes to Ahmed Shafik.''
Some Egyptians find themselves unwilling to support either candidate.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) EGYPTIAN MAN, AHMED MAHER, SAYING:
"In my opinion there should be a good candidate, but there isn't one present right now. And we don't want things to go back to the way they were, nor do we want to transform into a religious state. We want the real, moderate Egypt."
Results of the presidential election will be announced on June 21.
Sarah Sheffer, Reuters