This week started off with many unexpected events on the international stage. One of the most surprising ones was the news that Hazem el Beblawi has resigned and Egypt now has a new leader. The former Prime Minister of Egypt, Beblawi—who was nominated after the military coup that overthrew Mohammed Morsi—announced on Monday that his government was backing out of the political scene.
For weeks there had been rumors of changes that were going to take place and remodel the government, especially after the former Minister of Defence, Abdelfatta al Sisi, resigned, but nobody was suspecting Beblawi to step down
Following a brief meeting with his council of ministers, Beblawi appeared in front of the press to announce the end of his term. His statement was very brief and left out any specific details regarding the decision. Beblawi and his government had faced many setbacks over the past months, especially after the criticism he received for adamantly refusing to classify the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. Also, Beblawi had failed to address the recurrent workers' strikes in the country coupled with electricity shortages and a volatile economy. His popularity had significantly decreased. In fact, many suspect that this move is a strategy by the military in a feeble attempt at shaking up the government before the upcoming elections in April.
Finding a replacement is not going to be an easy task. Mohamed El Baradei, Nobel Peace Prize and former Vice President, quit his job following a massacre in which hundreds of Morsi supporters died at the hands of the police. Nobody seems to be wiling to take on the arduous task of guiding the country, let alone getting involved in politics.
In the meantime, it seems like a temporal replacement has been found: Ibrahim Mahlab, a former member of Hosni Mubarak's political party, has been appointed the new Prime Minister of the country. Mahlab has been received positively. He was once part of Mubarak's National Democratic Party and is also the former CEO of one of the regions most important construction firms. He is portrayed as a practical and active man. In fact, just a few hours into office, Mahlab had already lived up to his reputation, by pledging to crush terrorism in Egypt and bring back security to the country.
Once presidential elections come, many expect former Minister of Defence, al Sisi, to take the reigns in Egypt. Al Sisi, formerly chief of the Egyptian army, is generally well liked by the military and people are expecting his announcement as a presidential candidate to take place at any time.
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Video Wednesday: Move Over Beblawi, Here Comes Mahlab
February 26, 2014
This week started off with many unexpected events on the international stage. One of the most surprising ones was the news that Hazem el Beblawi has resigned and Egypt now has a new leader. The former Prime Minister of Egypt, Beblawi—who was nominated after the military coup that overthrew Mohammed Morsi—announced on Monday that his government was backing out of the political scene.
For weeks there had been rumors of changes that were going to take place and remodel the government, especially after the former Minister of Defence, Abdelfatta al Sisi, resigned, but nobody was suspecting Beblawi to step down
Following a brief meeting with his council of ministers, Beblawi appeared in front of the press to announce the end of his term. His statement was very brief and left out any specific details regarding the decision. Beblawi and his government had faced many setbacks over the past months, especially after the criticism he received for adamantly refusing to classify the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. Also, Beblawi had failed to address the recurrent workers' strikes in the country coupled with electricity shortages and a volatile economy. His popularity had significantly decreased. In fact, many suspect that this move is a strategy by the military in a feeble attempt at shaking up the government before the upcoming elections in April.
Finding a replacement is not going to be an easy task. Mohamed El Baradei, Nobel Peace Prize and former Vice President, quit his job following a massacre in which hundreds of Morsi supporters died at the hands of the police. Nobody seems to be wiling to take on the arduous task of guiding the country, let alone getting involved in politics.
In the meantime, it seems like a temporal replacement has been found: Ibrahim Mahlab, a former member of Hosni Mubarak's political party, has been appointed the new Prime Minister of the country. Mahlab has been received positively. He was once part of Mubarak's National Democratic Party and is also the former CEO of one of the regions most important construction firms. He is portrayed as a practical and active man. In fact, just a few hours into office, Mahlab had already lived up to his reputation, by pledging to crush terrorism in Egypt and bring back security to the country.
Once presidential elections come, many expect former Minister of Defence, al Sisi, to take the reigns in Egypt. Al Sisi, formerly chief of the Egyptian army, is generally well liked by the military and people are expecting his announcement as a presidential candidate to take place at any time.
