The Brotherhood, however, has said that it intends to mount a vigorous campaign in parliamentary elections expected to take place in September, two months ahead of the presidential vote.
Prominent liberals and secularists say they are deeply worried about what might happen if the Muslim Brotherhood makes a strong showing. Some are pushing for changes, including the postponement of parliamentary elections, which could level the playing field by giving other parties more time to organize.
“It’s not a fair fight,” said Naguib Sawiris, the second-wealthiest man in the country and one of the founders of the Free Egyptians Party, which is promoting liberal and secular policies.
He said his well-funded party could not reasonably compete with the Brotherhood, which has had 80 years to build a robust network of operatives and supporters across Egypt. The entrepreneur also said investors are squeamish at the prospect of a new government in which the Muslim Brotherhood would play a leading role.
“They have substituted the dictatorship of Mubarak with the dictatorship of the Muslim Brotherhood,” Sawiris said. “That’s where Egypt is going now.”
Amr Moussa, a leading candidate for the presidency, said in a recent interview that there is “enough time to perhaps reconsider” the current election schedule. He said that the presidential election should be held before the parliamentary contests, to give the president more influence over the drafting of a constitution.
Mohamed Saad el-Katatny, a Muslim Brotherhood leader who once headed the group’s parliamentary bloc, said he didn’t think the timing of the elections was likely to affect the outcome.
“For us the timing of the election does not make a difference,” he said in an interview. “But being late is not in anyone’s interest, and it might make it too late to have a peaceful transition of power.”
Although the Brotherhood has long advocated that Egypt should become an Islamic state ruled according to a dogmatic interpretation of sharia law, party members have sought in recent months to portray the group as being more progressive and inclusive than critics give it credit for. They rebranded the political wing of the movement the Freedom and Justice party and have formed allegiances with some secular and Christian politicians.
Brotherhood leaders have also pushed back on criticism that they are being underhanded about their political ambitions. Skepticism about their plans was certain to increase following Thursday’s announcement by prominent member Abdel Moneim Abou el-Fotouh, who told the Reuters news agency that he intends to run for president.
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