Mortada Mansour to run for president

Infamous lawyer Mortada Mansour announced on Sunday his intention to run for president, state media reported, saying his main goal is to restore Egypt’s “prestige and status” in the world.

In a press conference Sunday, Mansour said that Egypt is armed with a set of laws that are not applied, and emphasized the need to put an end to favoritism. He also proclaimed that poverty and unemployment are the cause of terrorism.

The head of the Zamalek Club also called to halt strikes and protests for a whole year in order for Egypt’s “strength and well-being” to be restored.

Mansour also suggested solutions to traffic congestion, maintaining that street lanes should be extended at the expense of green spaces that divide roads. He also suggested constructing a bridge atop 6 of October Bridge.

Mansour said that the Al-Nahda Dam puts Egypt at risk of drought and that it is backed by Israel.

This is not Mansour’s first attempt to enter the race. In 2012, he also announced his candidacy but was disqualified by the High Elections Commission over legal questions surrounding the leadership of the Egypt National Party, which nominated him for the presidency.

Mansour was one of 25 defendants in the “Battle of the Camel” case, and was accused of orchestrating attacks on protesters in Tahrir Square on February 2, 2011.

In October 2012, the Cairo Criminal Court acquitted all those implicated. In May 2013, the Court of Cassation rejected an appeal filed by the prosecution against the acquittal, upholding the verdict. 

Late last month, Mansour was elected chairman of the Zamalek Club for the third time. He is notorious for his controversial disputes with several high profile media and political figures.