Project on Middle East Democracy

Project on Middle East Democracy
The POMED Wire


Nelson Calls on Mubarak to Execute Free and Fair Elections and Resign

January 31st, 2011 by Naureen

Writing at The Hill’s Congress Blog, Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) discussed the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt and stated that while Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s naming of Omar Suleiman as his vice president is a step in the right direction, change must be made. “He cannot afford to clamp down again, as he initially tried to do,” Nelson says, “Instead, Mr. Mubarak will have to go — but not without an exit strategy that prevents the government from falling and leaving the door open for extremists.” Nelson goes on to say that if “President Obama pushes for Mubarak’s departure, the Egyptian government might fall into the hands of the Muslim Brotherhood” and we may see a repeat of the Iranian revolution of 1979. To quell protesters, he states that Mubarak must “guarantee the people the right to vote in free and fair elections” which are open to international observers and to also give his written assurance that he will not submit his name for candidacy.


Posted in Egypt, Elections, Protests, Reform |

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