The Brotherhood said it changed tack after reviewing other candidates in the race and after parliament, where its Freedom and Justice Party controls the biggest bloc, was unable to meet “the demands of the revolution,” a reference to its mounting criticism of the ruling army’s handling of the transition.
Given the Brotherhood’s strong showing in the parliamentary election and its broad grass-roots network, the group’s backing for a candidate could prove a decisive factor. However, analysts say name recognition may also play a role in the race that could help others such as former Arab League chief Amr Moussa.
Analysts said the move suggested the Brotherhood, on the brink of power for the first time in its 84-year history, was worried it could have that power snatched away after decades of repression at the hands Hosni Mubarak, who was ousted last year.
“We have witnessed obstacles standing in the way of Parliament to take decisions to achieve the demands of the revolution,” said Mohamed Morsy, head of the Freedom and Justice Party.
“We have therefore chosen the path of the presidency not because we are greedy for power but because we have a majority in Parliament which is unable to fulfill its duties in Parliament,” he said announcing the decision to back Al-Shater. The move will worry liberals and others who fret about the rising influence of Islamists after they swept Parliament and now dominate an assembly writing the new constitution.
Al-Al-Shater, 61, one of the group’s three deputy leaders and a businessman who runs a computer firm, will be competing against several other Islamists who have declared their plans to run. He has played a key role in the Brotherhood’s economic policy and met the International Monetary Fund team which is negotiating a $3.2 billion loan facility with the government. The IMF has said it wants broad political backing for the deal.
Al-Shater’s nomination could further split the Islamist vote, as at least three other Islamists are campaigning, including one who was expelled from the Brotherhood when he defied their earlier decision not to field a candidate.
But the Brotherhood, the oldest and most well-established Islamist group, could use its political clout to encourage Islamist politicians and voters to unite around Al-Shater.
Like many members of the Brotherhood that was banned under Mubarak, Al-Shater spent years in and out of jail. He was most recently freed shortly after Mubarak was toppled.
The Brotherhood had met twice before Saturday’s gathering to debate a change in policy but did not reach a decision, highlighting divisions about whether to change course on fielding a candidate and about who to back.
