| This is known as "not getting with the program." It's further proof that nations aren't always ruled by the smartest people available... |
 Egypt's ruling National Democratic Party wants President Hosni Mubarak to be its candidate for the country's first presidential elections later this year, the party's secretary-general said on Wednesday. Safwat el-Sherif said 76-year-old Mubarak, who has ruled Egypt since 1981, would put off announcing his candidacy until after a referendum in May on a constitutional amendment allowing multi-candidate presidential elections. "The National Democratic Party insists on adhering to the nomination of President Hosni Mubarak as a sincere, national leader... and president for the Egyptian nation," Egypt's official Middle East News Agency quoted Sherif as saying.
Mubarak surprised Egypt last month when he proposed introducing direct elections for the leadership of the Arab world's most populous country. Under the existing system, parliament approves the sole candidate for a presidential referendum. "By delaying announcing the nomination for the president of the republic... (Mubarak) is strengthening respect for the constitutional rules," Sherif said. Mubarak has strongly hinted that he will stand for a fifth six-year term. It has long been speculated that Gamal, the president's son, might succeed his father as leader.
| I think Hosni wants to do the Francisco Franco thing and die of old age in office. The question is whether the era of the President for Life is over yet... |
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