Choice of new PM Hisham Kandil divides Egypt's political class
Choice of new PM Hisham Kandil divides Egypt's political class (Photo:
President Mohamed Morsi's decision on Tuesday to appoint Hisham Kandil as Egypt's new prime minister has provoked mixed reactions from the country's politicians and activists.
A former irrigation minister in the post-revolution governments of Esam Sharaf and Kamal El-Ganzouri, Kandil is not formally affiliated with any Egyptian political parties or groups.
Mostafa El-Naggar, a liberal MP in the dissolved People's Assembly (the lower house of Egypt's parliament), told Ahram Online that it was too early to judge the appointment.
"We need to know the standards by which Kandil was chosen. We need to know his record, his history and performance in previous positions," El-Naggar said.
He criticised those who were already judging the new prime minister based on his Islamist background.
Independent activist Ahmed Imam, who is amongst those calling for a united front with Morsi to counter the military's influence in politics, said he did not have a view on the new prime minister.
"I still do not know anything about Kandil and therefore I cannot judge," he said.
Several political figures and activists, including Imam, declared their support for Morsi upon his electoral win in June after he confirmed Brotherhood members would not form the majority in his new government.
Leftist activist Wael Khalil, who joined the united front and was nominated for Morsi's presidential team, told Ahram Online it was too early to judge Kandil.
"I can't trust those who praise him or those who attack him so soon," said Khalil.
However, Khalil was more critical of the way Kandil was appointed than the choice itself.
"We need to know the criteria by which Kandil was chosen. We need more transparency."
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