Egypt's Ruling National Democratic Party Declares Gamal Mubarak as a Successor

Despite frequent denials by Gamal Mubarak that he will run for presidency or that he has the intention to succeed his dad in office, a prominent figure from the ruling National Democratic Party said an in interview to AlWafd newspaper (Arabic) that the party is preparing Gamal Mubarak as a successor and alternative for presidential plans. These statements are the first of their kind. Though almsot every Egyptian talks about the ruling party plan, officials from the party never went blunt in public to announce the party's agenda in bringing the son of the president to power.

Gamal Mubarak has been promoted so quickly inside the party to be the second person in command over the past few years.

These statements are coming ahead of the annual meeting of the NDP on September 15, where the president delivers his speech, defining the main priorities of his party. This is year he will give the closing speech. The annual meeting is usually attended by local and international figures.

The NDP has members from the so-called old guard who do not belong to the circle of the new guard led by Gamal Mubarak. The division as always have been denied but when you take a deeper look at the NPD secretary general Safwat Al Sherif's statements and the new guard statements you can immediately recognize and feel the split of agendas.

Hossam Badrawi, who is one of the closet allies of Gamal Mubarak in the party, threw the succession plans in yesterday’s interview with Alwafd, confirming that Egypt should be a civil country not a religious or military. As we all know most of the old guard of the party belongs to the military. These statements come against all the founders of the party which they will probably have to be made redundant if Junior Mubarak comes to power. Of course, we all know what he meant by not religious country. Badrawi was attacking the Muslim Brotherhood, though acknowledging the right for everyone to run .

He said: "Gamal Mubarak is one of the alternatives for presidency." I believe he is the only alternative for the ruling party and if not why Badrawi himself run for presidency, being a vetern well-educated public figure?

The ruling has alienated itself from the grassroots, and that is so obvious. The opposition movement Kefaya, the Muslim Brotherhood and opposition leftist parties in Egypt succeeded always in rallying support around them in demonstrations. On the other hand the NDP fails to rally even a 10 people demonstration unless they are paid or civil servants who are forced to do so.

The NDP’s new plan will slip the country into a political civil war and again without the participation of the people. Divisions will emerge between the old and new guards on who to rein after President Mubarak. With some flying rumors in the past that Gamal Mubarak is a gay, in which I have nothing against gays, but if true I wonder if the army will take that easily. Is it possible that the head of the armed forces of the country be a gay person? Is Gamal Mubarak strong enough to impose himself on the old military revolution party and the army without even grassroots support?

Bringing Gamal Mubarak to power will increase the disappointment of the Egyptians. It is yet another declaration that they will have to continue to be ruled rather rule their counrty. I believe disappointment was one reason why many Egyptians joined the camp of the Muslim brotherhood.

This succession plan puts an end to the shiny statements of the United States about bringing democracy and peace to the Middle East region and to one of the its allies, Egypt. It dashes the hopes of millions of Egyptians who believed once in the Middle East Spring. Gamal Mubarak is an Egyptian citizen and he has the right to be a presidential candidate but he should be like all Egyptians who also wish to run for presidency. There should be equal opportunity if democracy plans are serious.