I assume you mean that this was a bit of theatre, like: "We'll elect you then you decline."
‘clever, politically astute, move.’
I assume you mean that this was a bit of theatre, like: “We’ll elect you then you decline.”
Yes, and it seems reasonable to suppose that the former head dirt-bag was in on this, e.g., perhaps negotiating the public statement endorsing him, as a condition for “gracefully resigning”. Or, if he is as obtuse as he seems, wiser heads prevailed to give him a face-saving exit. In either case, it is never wise to underestimate one’s sworn enemies, and simply dismiss them as brutal stupid thugs. Clever devious thugs are far more dangerous, and these Islamic clerics in Australia are a good case in point to help us remember that.
Bingo. That way everyone’s happy. They get him off the national stage (don’t believe for a moment he is going away, though) and he bows out with his “reputation” intact.
This is just musical chairs among the top-rank Islamists down-under. Nothing will change. They are still a threat.