ElBaradei calls for boycott of Egypt's parliamentary elections
ElBaradei calls for boycott of Egypt's parliamentary elections
Mohamed ElBaradei, a leading Egyptian opposition figure, has hinted at a boycott of upcoming elections scheduled to begin in October.
2 min read
Baradei resigned as vice-president after the Rabaa Square massacre [Getty]
Mohamed ElBaradei, a former vice-president of Egypt, appears to have called for Egyptians to abstain from voting in upcoming parliamentary elections.
ElBaradei, also a former chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency, made a series of comments on social media on Thursday.
"Let us remember the calls since 2010 to boycott the parliamentary, presidential elections, referendums and other manifestations of formal democracy as an effective way to bring about change," the Nobel Peace Prize-winner tweeted.
He also said: "Mandela on politics and ethics: When you abandon a wrong idea or path, taking a step back can be a way to lead."
Egypt's new legislative elections, the first since President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi took office, are to be contested in phases starting in October.
Baradei resigned as vice-president following the violent breakup of the Muslim Brotherhood sit-in at Rabaa Square in 2013, and left the country for Vienna.
The reaction to the opposition figure's statements has largely been predictable. Osama Kamal, a well-known TV talk show host, said: "If Baradei is so interested in what's going on in Egypt, why did he leave? Does anyone know where he lives or what he's doing exactly?"
Kamal also said it was possible Baradei's return to politics could be linked to upcoming protests against unpopular new legislation and recent calls by the April 6 Youth Movement and the Muslim Brotherhood to disrupt parliamentary elections.
ElBaradei, also a former chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency, made a series of comments on social media on Thursday.
"Let us remember the calls since 2010 to boycott the parliamentary, presidential elections, referendums and other manifestations of formal democracy as an effective way to bring about change," the Nobel Peace Prize-winner tweeted.
He also said: "Mandela on politics and ethics: When you abandon a wrong idea or path, taking a step back can be a way to lead."
Egypt's new legislative elections, the first since President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi took office, are to be contested in phases starting in October.
Baradei resigned as vice-president following the violent breakup of the Muslim Brotherhood sit-in at Rabaa Square in 2013, and left the country for Vienna.
The reaction to the opposition figure's statements has largely been predictable. Osama Kamal, a well-known TV talk show host, said: "If Baradei is so interested in what's going on in Egypt, why did he leave? Does anyone know where he lives or what he's doing exactly?"
Kamal also said it was possible Baradei's return to politics could be linked to upcoming protests against unpopular new legislation and recent calls by the April 6 Youth Movement and the Muslim Brotherhood to disrupt parliamentary elections.
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