Egypt: Al Ahram survey, Amr Moussa still ahead

Former head of the Arab League and Hosni Mubarak's former Minister of Foreign Affairs during the nineties, Amr Mussa continues his lead in the preference polls for the Egyptian presidential elections scheduled for May 23 and 24. The weekly survey conducted by the Al Ahram studies centre reports that Mussa holds 40.8% of preferences, followed by the last Prime Minister, Ahmad Shafik, in power during the government held by the former Rais, who is given 19.9% of voting preference. It is only after these two that the three Islamic candidates follow, the moderate Abdel Moneim Abdel Fotouh at 17.8%, the Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohamed Morsi at 9.4% and Selim el Awwa, moderate and Pro-Confraternity at 2.7%. For the first time in the survey we also see the pro-nasserism left-wing candidate Hamdine Sabahi who reached 7% and is gaining preferences especially amongst young people. The undecided voters represent another 15%. According to the survey, should there be the need for a second round on June 16 and 17, the direct challenge between the so-called liberal candidates Mussa and Shafik and the Islamic candidates would be won by the liberals. In a direct challenge between Abul Fotouh (sent out of Muslim Brotherhood after announcing his candidature) and Morsi, the first would no doubt win (74% to 25%). In the event of a ballot between Mussa and Shafik, the survey indicates that victory would go to the former secretary of the Arab League by a strong margin (68% to 32%).