Egyptian Actor Adel Emam Criticizes Elbaradei

Elbaradei

Famed Egyptian actor Adel Emam has entered the political spotlight after publicly criticizing former director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mohamed Elbaradei.

In a recent interview with the Egyptian daily Almasry Alyoum, Emam criticized Mohamed Elbaradei, a potential presidential candidate in Egypt, for comparing himself to Martin Luther King and Ghandi. Emam said that he advises Elbradei to select better comparisons, lest he "will only prove to be a comedy."

He continued by criticizing Elbaradei for making himself the singular face of change for Egypt, arguing that "We have to share all, democracy is a social system [that] should be everywhere."

Emam also criticized Elbaradei for the time he spend living abroad, arguing that any Egyptian president should have spent longer in the Egypt. He compared Elbaradei to the case of Albert Einstein, who was offered the presidency of Israel but declined the position because he never truly lived in the country.

When asked how he would vote in the upcoming presidential election, Emam said, "I will vote for President Mubarak if he runs, and then to Gamal Mubarak, in the absence of President Mubarak's candidacy, but I will not give my vote to Elbradei."