Mixed reactions to Morsi’s appointment of Kandil as PM

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi held a meeting with the new Prime Minister Hesham Kandil Tuesday afternoon in the Federal Palace headquarters, before speaking to reporters at a press conference together. It is the first time they have addressed the press after Morsi assigned Dr Hesham Kandil as Egypt’s Prime Minister, a decision which has received mixed reactions. Head of the Tagammu Party, Refaat El Said, said that President Morsi’s decision was primarily based on the fact that both belonged to the Muslim brotherhood. El Said told Arabstoday: “It’s common knowledge that Kandil has leanings towards the Brotherhood, even if he doesn’t say so. It’s disappointing because the President said he would not appoint someone who was related to the Muslim Brotherhood at all!” He continued: “I can’t judge Dr Kandil’s capabilities of being PM, as I’ve known him only as the Minister of Irrigation and it is difficult to predict what will happen, especially in this stage.” Political Activist Ahmed Doma said he was surprised by Morsi’s decision because not much was known about Dr Hesham Kandil.  Doma said he will start gathering information on Kandil to see if he is fit for the position or not. Mostafa Bakri, member of the dissolved Parliament, said that Kandil is known for having Brotherhood ideology and that his nomination was based purely on the fact he is allied to the Islamist group.  Bakri expressed his displeasure at Morsi choosing the former Minister of Irrigation – who has only spent months in the ministry – for the position of  Prime Minister, as he has no experience. “Morsi stated before that he will choose a Prime Minister approved by all forces, but at the end he chose someone from the brotherhood.” Dr Hesham Kandil graduated from Engineering in 1984, received his master and Phd from North Carolina University in the US in 1988 and 1993. In 2002 he joined the National Council for Water Research. He has participated in the activities of the Nile Basin Initiative and was an observer on a joint Egyptian-Sudanese initiative on the Nile River. He has also held several positions, including head of Water Resources at the African Development Bank.  He was first appointed by former Prime Minister Esam Sharaf in July, 21 2011 and was later asked by former Prime Minister Kamal al Ganzouri to stay. Between 1999 to 2005 he worked in the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation.  He then joined the African Development Bank as a senior expert on water resources.