The Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) withdrew 10 of its members from the constituent assembly and replaced them with liberal appointees amid protest from political parties, religious institutions and special interests over the makeup of the Islamist-dominated assembly.
ELECTIONS:
1) The Muslim Brotherhood’s Shura Council will hold an emergency meeting on March 31 to discuss an escalating “crisis” with the military. The SCAF has reportedly offered the Brotherhood several cabinet appointments (while retaining control over several key portfolios – including defense, the interior ministry, and media) if the Brotherhood agrees not to field a presidential candidate. [al-Youm al-Saba’a, Arabic, 3/30/2012]
2) The Foreign Ministry reported that at least 450,000 Egyptians abroad have registered to vote in the upcoming presidential election. [al-Ahram, English, 3/30/2012]
3) Islamist presidential candidate Mohamed Selim al-Awa urged Islamist groups to back a single candidate to avoid splitting the vote. He also warned that a decision by the Muslim Brotherhood to field its own candidate could send a signal that the Brotherhood is seeking to monopolize power and would harm Egypt’s international image. [al-Masry al-Youm, English, 3/30/2012]
CONSTITUTION:
4) The Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) withdrew 10 of its members from the constituent assembly and replaced them with liberal appointees amid protest from political parties, religious institutions and special interests over the makeup of the Islamist-dominated assembly. [al-Masry al-Youm, English, 3/30/2012]
5) The Coptic Church has withdrawn its two representatives from the constituent assembly in a gesture of solidarity with minority liberal forces in parliament. Al-Azhar announced its withdrawal from the constituent assembly on March 29, citing its representatives’ “marginalization.” [al-Masry al-Youm, English, 3/30/2012] [al-Ahram, English, 3/30/2012]
PARLIAMENT:
6) The People’s Assembly formally began the process of withdrawing confidence in the government of Prime Minister Kamal Ganzouri, during a session majority of MPs rejected the government’s February 26 policy statement which detailed its performance and plans for the year ahead. The Muslim Brotherhood’s FJP has been demanding for several weeks that the parliamentary majority be allowed to form a government and that the SCAF dismiss the El-Ganzouri government. According to the interim constitution, only the SCAF has the authority to withdraw confidence from the cabinet. [al-Ahram, English, 3/30/2012] [al-Masry al-Youm, Arabic, 3/30/2012]
US-EGYPT RELATIONS:
7) Sen. John McCain said he is “deeply concerned” about escalating tensions between the Muslim Brotherhood and SCAF and Islamist influence over the constitutional process: “I’m deeply concerned about the possibility of an escalation of tensions and the occurrence of more confrontations and demonstration … However, the more important question is whether the Muslim Brotherhood will adopt a moderate approach, or if some of its extremist members will be directing the constitution-drafting process and the [presidential] elections." [al-Ahram, English, 3/30/2012]
8) Dozens of protesters gathered outside of the US Embassy in Cairo to demand the expulsion of Amb. Anne Patterson and reject the composition of the Islamist-dominated constituent assembly. They also called for the termination of American aid to Egypt. [al-Masry al-Youm, English, 3/30/2012] [al-Shorouk, Arabic, 3/30/2012]
ECONOMY:
9) Trade Ministry has begun negotiations with thirty public, private and foreign banks to help reopen 1,750 idle factories. [al-Masry al-Youm, English, 3/30/2012]
Photo Credit: al-Masry al-Youm