If presidential elections in Egypt come before parliamentary elections, the country could usher in a new dictator, a military leader said from Cairo.
Gen. Mamdouh Shahin, assistant minister of defense for constitutional affairs, told state television during the weekend that parliamentary election should come first in Egypt.
He said if a president were elected before rank-and-file lawmakers, the new leader could define the structure of state institutions and act as “a new dictator,” reports Egyptian daily newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm.
Opponents argue that having parliamentary elections first would give groups like the National Democratic Party and the Muslim Brotherhood an upper hand in Egyptian politics.
The National Democratic Party was ousted from its ruling position when Hosni Mubarak stepped down as president Feb. 11. The Muslim Brotherhood, which was banned from competing openly under the Mubarak regime, said it was taking steps to form a political party but wouldn’t name a candidate for presidential elections.
Egypt’s Supreme Council of the Armed Forces said it may delay a vote on constitutional amendments until presidential elections are held. Shahin said a presidential vote should come after September parliamentary elections.