Egypt Rejects European Parliament’s Statement on Presidential Elections

Egyptian Parliament (Facebook)
Egyptian Parliament (Facebook)
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Egypt Rejects European Parliament’s Statement on Presidential Elections

Egyptian Parliament (Facebook)
Egyptian Parliament (Facebook)

The Egyptian Parliament on Friday rejected a European Parliament statement on the country’s upcoming presidential elections, saying it lacks credibility and neutrality.

On Thursday, the European Parliament called in a report for a “review” of the EU’s relations with Egypt. It also urged Egyptian authorities to hold “credible, free and fair elections” and stop “harassing peaceful opposition figures such as aspiring presidential candidates.”

The report sparked a wave of widespread criticism in Egypt, particularly from deputies and politicians who said the statement is based on false information.

Egypt is gearing up for its presidential elections late this year. Voting in Egypt will take place from December 10 to December 12, with Egyptians abroad casting their votes from December 1 to December 3.

In a statement issued Friday, the Egyptian Parliament said the EU’s report lacks objectivity and reveals a predisposition to issue premature judgments about the electoral process.

It then called on the European Parliament to focus its efforts on European affairs, where violations of human rights and freedoms are documented in various reports.

Several Egyptian party leaders, in addition to political and legal officials, rejected the Union’s interference in Egypt’s internal affairs.

Nagi Al-Shihabi, head of the Democratic Generation Party (al-Geel al-Dimuqrati), told Asharq Al-Awsat that the European Parliament statement contains false information aimed at misleading global public opinion, affirming that the Parliament exceeded its limits and powers and interfered in Egyptian affairs.

He affirmed that Egypt’s elections are run by an independent body, the National Electoral Commission, and in accordance with the law, the Constitution and international standards.

Shihabi said it is normal that the European statement triggered wide criticisms in Egypt because Egyptian political parties and civil society are participating in the national dialogue, called for by President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, without exclusion.

Meanwhile, Tarek Fahmy, a political science professor at Cairo University, said the timing of the European Parliament is suspicious because it coincides with the announcement of Sisi's candidacy for a new term.

The statement aims to intervene in local affairs and try to spark fears among Egyptian authorities, he said, adding that the statement also aims to change the course of the electoral process.

He then rejected the European Parliament’s “unacceptable interventions” in Egypt’s internal affairs and said it was still early to comment on the elections.

Fahmy then told Asharq Al-Awsat that the European Parliament statement came one-day following demands by lobbyists in Washington and rights groups that US lawmakers withhold a further $235 million in military aid to Egypt.

“I believe there are some European-US arrangements to intervene in Egyptian affairs in one way or another,” he said.



French Open Organizers Scrap 25th Anniversary Ceremony for Mary Pierce as She Can’t Attend 

Sixth-seeded Mary Pierce of France kisses the trophy after she defeated fifth-seeded Conchita Martinez of Spain 6-2, 7-5, during their final at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros stadium in Paris Saturday, June 10, 2000. (AP)
Sixth-seeded Mary Pierce of France kisses the trophy after she defeated fifth-seeded Conchita Martinez of Spain 6-2, 7-5, during their final at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros stadium in Paris Saturday, June 10, 2000. (AP)
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French Open Organizers Scrap 25th Anniversary Ceremony for Mary Pierce as She Can’t Attend 

Sixth-seeded Mary Pierce of France kisses the trophy after she defeated fifth-seeded Conchita Martinez of Spain 6-2, 7-5, during their final at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros stadium in Paris Saturday, June 10, 2000. (AP)
Sixth-seeded Mary Pierce of France kisses the trophy after she defeated fifth-seeded Conchita Martinez of Spain 6-2, 7-5, during their final at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros stadium in Paris Saturday, June 10, 2000. (AP)

A ceremony to honor Mary Pierce, the last Frenchwoman to win the title at Roland-Garros 25 years ago, has been scrapped because she can't attend, French Open organizers said on Wednesday.

The ceremony was scheduled to take place on Thursday between the women’s semifinals at the clay-court Grand Slam tournament. But Pierce is unable to be there this week “due to personal reasons,” organizers said.

Pierce’s title at the 2000 French Open was the most recent in singles for a French player, male or female, at Roland-Garros. The 50-year-old Pierce also won the doubles title that year. Her other Grand Slam singles title came at the 1995 Australian Open, and she helped France win two Fed Cup titles.

The ceremony was supposed to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her title at Roland-Garros, as well as her 2019 induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, French Open organizers said.