Editing Mohamed ElBaradei (section)

== Egyptian politics ==

=== 2011 Egyptian revolution ===
{{Main|2011 Egyptian revolution}}

[[File:ElBaredei during Friday of Anger.png|thumb|Mohammed ElBaradei during ''Friday of Anger'']]
During the early days of the Egyptian Revolution, ElBaradei's speechwriter and long-time associate [[Laban Coblentz]] and other IAEA colleagues of ElBaradei contradicted the notion that ElBaradei had only recently become engaged in Egyptian politics, saying he had never relinquished his focus on human rights deficiencies in his home country. Coblentz noted that ElBaradei had first confronted Mubarak in early 2003, during the lead-up to the Iraq War, as well as on subsequent encounters.<ref>{{cite news|last=Tirone|first=Jonathan|title=ElBaradei's Decade of Scolding Mubarak Belies Image of Distant Bureaucrat|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-01/elbaradei-s-decade-of-scolding-mubarak-belie-image-of-distant-bureaucrat.html|access-date=9 July 2012|newspaper=Bloomberg|date=1 February 2011}}</ref>

Coblentz also pointed out the role that social media played in convincing ElBaradei that the young people of Egypt were ready for change: "It was really this last 14 months, where someone I knew as not being particularly computer savvy, taught himself to use Facebook and Twitter and YouTube and started to do in virtual space what was forbidden to do by the Mubarak regime, the freedom of assembly by large groups."<ref>{{cite news|title=Thursday's Intriguing People|url=http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/02/03/thursdays-intriguing-people-45/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205023415/http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/02/03/thursdays-intriguing-people-45/|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 February 2011|access-date=9 July 2012|newspaper=CNN}}</ref>

While speaking at the [[Harvard Kennedy School]] on 27 April 2010, ElBaradei joked that he is "looking for a job" and is seeking to be an "agent of change and an advocate for democracy" within Egyptian politics. He also made clear that his wife is not very enthusiastic about any potential run.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iop.harvard.edu/Multimedia-Center/All-Videos/Nonproliferation-Arms-Control-Challenges-Opportunities2 |title=Nonproliferation & Arms Control : Challenges & Opportunities |publisher=Harvard University Institute of Politics |date=1 November 2005 |access-date=24 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110327164706/http://www.iop.harvard.edu/Multimedia-Center/All-Videos/Nonproliferation-Arms-Control-Challenges-Opportunities2 |archive-date=27 March 2011}}</ref>

On 27 January 2011, ElBaradei returned to Egypt amid ongoing [[2011 Egyptian protests|turmoil]], with the largest mass protests in 30 years, which had begun two days earlier, on 25 January 2011. ElBaradei declared himself ready to lead a transitional government if that was the will of the nation, saying that, "If [people] want me to lead the transition, I will not let them down."<ref>{{cite web|last=Memmott |first=Mark |url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/01/27/133275390/el-baradei-back-in-egypt-says-its-time-for-a-new-government |title=ElBaradei Back in Egypt; Says It's Time for a New Government |publisher=NPR |date=27 January 2011 |access-date=24 March 2011}}</ref>
Subsequently, "when he joined protesters Friday after noon prayers, police fired water cannons at him and his supporters. They used batons to beat some of ElBaradei's supporters, who surrounded him to protect him."<ref>{{cite news|author=AP |url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/01/28/violent-clashes-police-break-cairo/ |title=Five People Killed During Protests in Egypt |publisher=FoxNews.com |date=1 February 2010 |access-date=24 March 2011}}</ref> On 28 January 2011, ElBaradei was reported to have been placed under house arrest in Egypt.<ref>[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-28/egypt-s-muslim-botherhood-says-police-detain-senior-leaders-after-protests.html Mubarak Faces His Biggest Challenge Amid Nationwide Protests] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823212340/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-28/egypt-s-muslim-botherhood-says-police-detain-senior-leaders-after-protests.html |date=23 August 2013 }}</ref> However, the next day, when he was interviewed by [[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]], he said that he was unaware of any such arrest.<ref>[http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/01/201112974149942894.html Thousands in Cairo defy curfew] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019063405/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/01/201112974149942894.html |date=19 October 2011 }}</ref>

Later on, ElBaradei arrived in [[Tahrir Square]] to join thousands of other protesters against the Mubarak regime and spoke directly to the people, stating that they "have taken back [their] rights" and that they cannot go back. A number of Egyptian political movements have called on ElBaradei to form a transitional government.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12320200 ElBaradei's speech on Tahrir Square] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104192909/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12320200 |date=4 January 2016 }}</ref> ElBaradei has also stated that "the people [of Egypt] want the regime to fall." In response to the appointment of [[Omar Suleiman (politician)|Omar Suleiman]] as the new vice president of Egypt, ElBaradei stated that it was a "hopeless, desperate attempt by Mubarak to stay in power. I think [that] it is loud and clear...that Mubarak has to leave today." Additionally, ElBaradei restated his position that, when Egypt does become a democratic nation, "there is no reason to believe that a democracy in Egypt would not lead to a better relationship with the US based on respect and equity."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2011/01/30/gps.elbaradei.intv.cnn?iref=allsearch |title=Video – Breaking News Videos from |publisher=CNN.com |date=16 July 2010 |access-date=24 March 2011}}</ref>

The Guardian reported that ElBaradei had been mandated by the [[Muslim Brotherhood]] and four other opposition groups to negotiate an interim "national salvation government."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shenker |first=Jack |last2=McGreal |first2=Chris |date=31 January 2011 |editor-last=Black |editor-first=Ian |title=Egypt Set for Mass Protest as Army Rules Out Force |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jan/31/egyptian-army-pledges-no-force |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921014332/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jan/31/egyptian-army-pledges-no-force |archive-date=21 September 2013 |access-date=14 February 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> However, BBC reported that the Muslim Brotherhood, the largest opposition party banned by Mubarak's regime, had not consented to the choice of ElBaradei as the representative of the opposition. "The people have not appointed Mohamed ElBaradei to become a spokesman of them. The Muslim Brotherhood is much stronger than Mohamed ElBaradei as a person. And we do not agree [that he should represent] this movement. The movement is represented by itself, and it will [appoint] a committee. . .to [delegate its representatives]."<ref>{{cite news|author=Kevin Connolly |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12320959 |title=Egypt protesters step up pressure on Hosni Mubarak |work=BBC News |date=31 January 2011 |access-date=24 March 2011}}</ref>

His appointment was controversial largely because of the long periods that he has spent outside the country. His appointment was seen as a recognition of the importance of various Western nations' support of the revolts.

=== Possible presidential candidacy ===
{{Main|2012 Egyptian presidential election|National Association for Change}}

ElBaradei's name was circulated by opposition groups from 2009 to 2012 as a possible candidate to succeed President [[Hosni Mubarak]] in Egypt's highest executive position when his name was suggested by [[Mohamed Hassanein Heikal]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Egyptian opposition wants ElBaradei to run for president |url=http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=204908 |newspaper=[[Tehran Times]] |date=8 October 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=El Baradei to run for president of Egypt? |url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009%5C10%5C07%5Cstory_7-10-2009_pg4_7 |newspaper=[[Daily Times (Pakistan)|Daily Times]] |date=7 October 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Arab League chief refuses to rule out Egypt presidential bid |url=http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/291035,arab-league-chief-refuses-to-rule-out-egypt-presidential-bid.html |newspaper=Earth Times |date=20 October 2009}}</ref>

ElBaradei did not make any clear statements regarding his intentions to run for the office; however, he has demanded that certain conditions be met to ensure fair elections accompanied by changes to the constitution that will allow more freedom for independent candidates before he would actually consider running for the presidency. Several opposition groups have endorsed him, considering him a neutral figure who could transition the country to greater [[democracy]].

On 24 February 2010, ElBaradei met with several opposition leaders and notable intellectuals at his home in [[Cairo]]. The meeting was concluded with an announcement for the formation of a new non-party-political movement called the "[[National Association for Change]]." The movement aims for general reforms in the political scene and mainly [http://www.egypt.gov.eg/english/laws/Constitution/chp_five/part_one.aspx article 76 of the Egyptian constitution], which places restrictions on free presidential elections, especially when it comes to independent candidates. The banned political group, the Muslim Brotherhood, was represented at the meeting by one of its key figures; however, its stand in accepting a non-member of its group as a representative is still unclear. It is also unknown whether [[Amr Moussa]], the head of the [[Arab League]] who met with ElBaradei a day earlier, will be part of the new movement.<ref name="ElBaradei to form 'national association for change'">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8534365.stm ElBaradei to form 'national association for change'] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127064617/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8534365.stm |date=27 January 2011 }}</ref>

On 7 March 2011 it was announced that ElBaradei intended to run for the presidential elections, this intention was later clearly stated in a live interview by ElBaradei to the ON TV channel 10 March 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.masrawy.com/News/Egypt/Politics/2011/march/7/barad3i_president.aspx |title=البرادعي يعلن ترشحه للرئاسة |publisher=Masrawy.com |date=7 March 2011 |access-date=24 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314144824/http://www.masrawy.com/News/Egypt/Politics/2011/march/7/barad3i_president.aspx |archive-date=14 March 2011}}</ref>
On 14 January 2012 ElBaradei declared he would not run for president.<ref>{{cite news |title=ElBaradei, in Protest, Drops Bid for Egypt's Presidency |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/15/world/middleeast/mohamed-elbaradei-pulls-out-of-egypts-presidential-race.html?_r=1&hp |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=14 January 2012}}</ref>

On 4 July 2013 ElBaradei was mentioned as a favorite to head a transitional Egyptian government amid the [[2013 Egyptian coup d'état]]<ref>"[https://www.voanews.com/a/elbaradei-tops-list-to-head-egypt-government/1694951.html Sources: ElBaradei Tops List to Head Egypt Government] ", Voice of America News, retrieved 4 July 2013.</ref> as the [[prime minister]].<ref>UK Independent, 3 July 2013, "Profiles: Adly Mansour and Mohamed ElBaradei - Egypt’s incoming leaders" {{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/profiles-adly-mansour-and-mohamed-elbaradei--egypts-incoming-leaders-8686258.html |title=Profiles: Adly Mansour and Mohamed ElBaradei - Egypt's incoming |website=[[Independent.co.uk]] |date=4 July 2013 |access-date=2013-07-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706112834/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/profiles-adly-mansour-and-mohamed-elbaradei--egypts-incoming-leaders-8686258.html |archive-date=6 July 2015}}</ref>

=== President of Constitution Party ===
On 28 April 2012, ElBaradei launched the [[Constitution Party (Egypt)|Constitution Party]] (DL). This date was too late to allow him to run for the presidency.<ref>{{cite news
 | url    = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17880367
 | title  = Baradei launches new Egyptian party, but too late for election
 | author = BBC News
 | work = BBC News
 | date   = 28 April 2012
 | access-date = 28 April 2012
}}</ref> The party claims itself as liberal, in order to protect and promote the principles and objectives of the [[Egyptian Revolution of 2011|25 January 2011 Revolution]] according to liberal ideals. ElBaradei became a prominent figure of the Egyptian opposition.<ref name="today.almasryalyoum.com">{{cite web|title = الدستور" يتقدم بأوراقه للجنة الأحزاب و"البرادعى": هدفنا"لم الشمل" وتمكين الشباب"|publisher=Al-Masry Al-Youm|url=http://today.almasryalyoum.com/article2.aspx?ArticleID=351599&IssueID=2609
|access-date=30 August 2012}}</ref> On 24 November, DL formed together with the secular parties the [[National Salvation Front (Egypt)|National Salvation Front]], a coalition of the primary opposition parties against President [[Mohamed Morsi]]'s decrees. On 5 December 2012, he became the coordinator of National Salvation Front.

===Vice president===
{{see also|2013 Egyptian coup d'état|Post-coup unrest in Egypt (2013–2014)}}
Mohamed ElBaradei was involved in the [[2013 Egyptian coup d'état|coup d'état]] that toppled democratically elected President [[Mohamed Morsi]] amid mass protests against the perceived mismanagement of the country, the refusal of Morsi to form a coalition government, and the authoritarian influence of the [[Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt|Muslim Brotherhood]] on what had been a [[secularism|secular]] [[Muslim world|Muslim-majority]] state for decades. He was described by [[Reuters]] as the "designated negotiator" for the political opposition. ElBaradei gave support to the military's plan to oust Morsi and begin implementing a "political road map" for Egypt, including the installation of [[Supreme Constitutional Court of Egypt|Supreme Constitutional Court]] Chief Justice [[Adly Mansour]] as interim [[president of Egypt]]. He was present when General Sisi announced the temporary suspension of the [[Constitution of Egypt|constitution]] and the removal of Morsi from power.

In the political transition following Morsi's ejection from the presidency, ElBaradei was immediately mentioned as a candidate for interim prime minister.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/04/mohammed-elbaradei-egypt_n_3546338.html|agency=Reuters|date=3 July 2013|title=Mohammed ElBaradei Favorite To Head Egypt's Interim Government|access-date=6 July 2013}}</ref> He reportedly denied interest in the position at first.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/elbaradei-said-to-turn-down-interim-egypt-prime-minister-post/|title=ElBaradei said to turn down interim Egypt prime minister post|agency=The Times of Israel|date=4 July 2013|access-date=6 July 2013}}</ref> There were reports that ElBaradei would be named prime minister, which were retracted after objections by the [[Nour Party]], on 7 July.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/07/world/meast/egypt-coup/index.html?hpt=hp_inthenews|title=Egyptian interim president nominates two for leadership posts|access-date=7 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/07/08/egypt-.html|title=Egypt's Salafist party rejects choices for premier, vice-president|agency=Al Arabiya|date=8 July 2013|access-date=8 July 2013}}</ref> He was sworn in as vice president, responsible for international relations, on 14 July 2013.<ref>Aya Batrawy, [http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_EGYPT?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-07-14-09-57-19 "Egypt's defense minister defends ousting president"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055941/http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_EGYPT?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-07-14-09-57-19 |date=4 March 2016 }}, Associated Press, 14 July 2013.</ref>

====14 August government raids and resignation====
On 14 August 2013, following a [[August 2013 Rabaa massacre|violent crackdown]] by security forces on supporters of deposed president [[Mohamed Morsi]], in which at least 525 people were killed,<ref>{{cite news|title=Egyptian security forces storm protesters' camps|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/egyptian-security-forces-move-against-protesters-camps/2013/08/14/bc079750-04a7-11e3-9259-e2aafe5a5f84_story.html|access-date=14 August 2013|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=14 August 2013}}</ref> ElBaradei resigned as vice president.<ref>{{cite news|title=Egypt's VP Mohamed ElBaradei resigns in protest against crackdown|url=https://www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-egypt-mohamed-elbaradei-resigns-20130814,0,5082837.story|access-date=14 August 2013|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=14 August 2013}}</ref> In his resignation letter, ElBaradei stated: "...I always saw peaceful alternatives for resolving this societal wrangling. Certain solutions were proposed, which could have led to national conciliation, but things have come this far ... It has become difficult for me to continue bearing the responsibility for decisions with which I do not agree and the consequences of which I fear. I cannot bear the responsibility for a single drop of blood before God, before my own conscience or the citizens..."<ref>{{cite news|title=Unedited alleged letter of resignation of interim Vice President Mohamed ElBaradei|url=http://blogs.aljazeera.com/topic/egypt/unedited-alleged-letter-resignation-interim-vice-president-mohamed-elbaradei|access-date=21 August 2013|work=Al Jazeera|date=14 August 2013}}</ref> He then left the country for Vienna, where he was previously based as Director General of The International Atomic Energy Agency.<ref name=aljaz21aug/>

After his resignation, an Egyptian law professor at [[Helwan University]], Sayyed Ateeq, filed lawsuit against ElBaradei, accusing him of a "betrayal of trust".<ref>{{cite news|title=Now Mohamed ElBaradei faces the wrath of Egyptian army after resigning from cabinet|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/now-mohamed-elbaradei-faces-the-wrath-of-egyptian-army-after-resigning-from-cabinet-8777174.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220515/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/now-mohamed-elbaradei-faces-the-wrath-of-egyptian-army-after-resigning-from-cabinet-8777174.html |archive-date=15 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=20 August 2013|newspaper=The Independent|date=20 August 2013}}</ref> As Ateeq told [[Reuters]], "Dr. ElBaradei was entrusted with this position and he had a duty to go back to those who entrusted him and ask to resign."<ref name="Reuters20130820">{{cite news|last=Noueihed|first=Lin|title=Egypt's ElBaradei faces court for 'betrayal of trust'|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-egypt-protests-elbaradei-idUSBRE97J0XD20130820|access-date=20 August 2013|work=Reuters|date=20 August 2013}}</ref> The case was heard in Cairo in October that year, and dismissed.<ref name=aljaz21aug>{{cite news|title=Cairo court sets trial date for ElBaradei|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/08/201382013218872674.html|access-date=21 August 2013|work=Al Jazeera|date=20 August 2013}}</ref><ref name="Reuters20130820"/><ref name=VOA_dmissed>{{cite news|title=Judge Dismisses 'Betrayal of Trust' Case Against ElBaradei|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/reu-judge-dismisses-betrayal-of-trust-case-against-elbaradei/1777562.html|access-date=16 August 2016|work=Voice of Africa|date=26 October 2013}}</ref>