These names, however, did not appeal to Coptic youth coalitions who rejected nominations by any circles close to the papal seat, preferring former member of parliament ‘Imād Jād.

There was a space of agreement between the two camps, though: refusing names like former MP Jamāl As’ad or Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) deputy leader Rafīq Habīb as vice president on the grounds that “the two are not close to the Copts’ cares”.

‘Abd al-Nūr, an experienced politician and minister of tourism, is the most likely to obtain the post, while others said the stakes of Coptic businessman Hānī ‘Azīz, an advisor for the minister of manpower for Egyptian expatriates’ affairs, are high.

Bishop Abram of al-Fayoum denied the church has sent a list of possible candidates to the presidency, adding the church was not asked to name a candidate or even consulted on the matter.

Former legislator Ihāb Ramzī said the powers of the potential Coptic vice president must be announced clearly and then his/her acceptance in the Coptic street must be taken into consideration.

“The issue is not just about the appointment of a vice president only to gild the presidency. On the other hand, the church should be consulted on the name of the person likely to become vice president,” said Ramzī, indicating that Coptic anger over the idea of naming Habīb or As’ad to the post is because “they are labeled by Copts as enemies of the church”. [‘Abd al-Wahāb Sha’bān, al-Wafd, July 2, p. 3] Read text in Arabic