Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood to field presidential candidate

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/01/egypt-muslim-brotherhood-presidential-candidate

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The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt has announced it will field a candidate in the upcoming presidential elections, despite a pledge not to take part in the contest.

The Brotherhood had vowed in the wake of the 2011 uprising that overthrew Hosni Mubarak that it would not field a presidential candidate so as to not monopolise power. But a breakdown in relations with Scaf, the military junta that rules Egypt, and the emergence of strong Islamist candidates are believed to be behind Saturday's announcement that the group's second in command, Khairat al-Shater, would stand for election.

Al-Shater had previously been touted as the next prime minister rather than president, as Brotherhood MPs have been discussing passing a vote of no confidence against the current Scaf-appointed government of Kamal el-Ganzouri, a former Mubarak-era premier.

The group has been criticised in the wake of Saturday's announcement for attempting a complete power grab after securing the majority bloc in both the upper and lower houses of parliament.

Al-Shater has resigned from the Brotherhood in order to run for president. He was its chief financier and was imprisoned in 2007 for funding what was then a banned organisation. The sentence was rescinded in 2011.

The presidential elections are due to begin on 23 May 23.