The door for Egypt's presidential hopefuls closes tomorrow but not before the late entry of a man who could win it all and the possible disqualification of another who was just as heavily favored. That they are both Islamists starkly illustrates Egypt's incredible political makeover in just over a year since Hosni Mubarak was forced to step down as president. The fortunes of Khairat El-Shater are a microcosm of this seismic shift. El-Shater has gone from being a political prisoner to a frontrunner in Egypt's presidential race as the Muslim Brotherhood's chosen candidate. Neither El-Shater nor any other MB member was supposed to be in the race after the Brotherhood pledged not to field a candidate for president in a bid to allay fears in the country and beyond over a total government Islamist takeover. The reversal of position has not gone down well with those who believe that the Islamists are indeed determined to grab as much power as they can. The Brotherhood has defended its decision to enter one of its members, pointing to the frustration of its efforts to have the current government, which they describe as incapable, sacked. It is an explanation Egyptian pundits and public alike are skeptical of, instead viewing El-Shater's selection as a blatant attempt by the MB to amass power after waiting in the wings for 80-odd years, most of that period branded as outlaws. Regardless of intentions genuine or otherwise, and given the clout the MB has at the ballot box as was shown so conclusively in the parliamentary elections of last year, El-Shater could conceivably become, after next month's vote, Mr. President. The Brotherhood's extremist extension, the Salafists, believe that in Hafez Abu Ismail, they have a credible rival. Abu Ismail in recent months has become one of the strongest contenders for president, with widespread backing from the ultra-conservative Salafists who, like the Brotherhood, did extremely well in the parliamentary poll, only more surprisingly so. But Abu Ismail is dogged by accusations that his mother has US citizenship, a charge that if proven, would prevent him from running under election commission rules concerning dual nationality of candidates and their parents. As soon as the controversy is settled, it will become clear whether Abu Ismail can start campaigning officially or has become an also-ran. The triumvirate is made complete with Abdel-Moneim Abul-Foutouh, an ex-Brotherhood member whose appeal is widespread, especially among youths and even liberals. With his name recognition, perhaps only Amr Moussa, Egypt's long-serving former foreign minister and ex-Arab League secretary general, can quell the Islamist tidal wave but his close association with the former regime is not in his favor. In any case, an Islamist president would complete the astonishing turnaround of the Islamists and of Egypt. Recent elections gave the Islamists a majority in the lower and upper houses. They also have a firm grip on the 100-member constituent assembly tasked with drafting the constitution. And only the ruling military prevents them from dissolving the government and inserting new, Islamist ministers, starting with the premier. And now, to cap off a year even Hollywood could not have dreamt up, the Islamists are gunning for the presidency itself. This wholesale amassing of power is similar to the Mubarak-era domination by a single party of all executive and legislative branches, only now with an Islamist twist. For now, an Islamist president would conclude what can only be described as an Islamist conquest of Egypt and culminate an unbelievable transformation in just little more than a year, from an underground outlawed group to political kingpins ruling the country. __
