Since emerging as the most dominant force in Egypt’s new parliament, the Muslim Brotherhood has not been able to translate its numerical advantage into anticipated political power, according to Brookings Doha Center visiting fellow Omar Ashour. This disappointment motivated the Freedom and Justice Party–the Muslim Brotherhood’s political arm–to nominate Khairat Al-Shater, and subsequently Mohamed Morsi, as candidates for the Egyptian presidency. Ashour discusses why these individuals were selected as the Freedom and Justice Party’s nominees and more broadly frames Egypt’s ongoing democratic transition.

View the program on BBC iPlayer. For Jane Little’s discussion with Omar Ashour, begin at 1:25.