The announced government lineup has augmented Copts’ agonies after the percentage of standard representation of Copts in the successive governments in Egypt – at least two ministers – was reduced.
The government of Hishām Qandīl does not have any Coptic presence except Nādyah Zakhārī, the minister of scientific research, a portfolio that has always been viewed by Copts as totally far from political representation.
“The Qandīl government only reflects the state of political chaos we’re going through now. The society expected a cabinet with a political vision that would fish the nation out of its political hot water,” said Jamāl As’ad, an intellectual and former legislator.
He said the Muslim Brotherhood who revolted against the Kamāl al-Janzūrī government and accused it of scuppering the parliament’s efforts have kept some of its ministers in their first cabinet after they made it to the presidency.
“Lessening the number of Copts in the government from two ministers to only one minister with a portfolio that does not enjoy any political clout casts doubt over the Brotherhood’s vision,” said As’ad. [‘Abd al-Wahāb Sha’bān, al-Wafd, Aug. 4, p. 5] Read original text in Arabic