Comments on: Reflections on constitutional reform

By: Global Voices Online » Blog Archive » Egypt: Abdolkarim, the Elections and the Muslim Brotherhood

Fri, 18 Nov 2005 22:04:54 +0000

[...] Ramy points to a comment by Sandmonkey. He assures us that if none of the opposition parties got 5% or more in the parliamentary seats, no one from the opposition will be able to nominate himself as president in 2011. This is due to the ridiculous constitutional amendment. [...]

By: Nihal

Nihal — Tue, 01 Mar 2005 20:30:42 +0000

The motives once more, trying to look at the motives, I think Mubarak had to say that- which is a baby step in democracy- after tremendous pressures, may be from out side Egypt more. This little step is on line with official announced trend and against the official unannounced one. No intention to reform was apparent from the government actions for the last years, not even the slightest sign, in contrast all actions where to establish more the people in power and reduce the choices and freedom for the rest of the Egyptians and whatever happened to lighten up the oppression in Egypt was obligatory and fairly ignored by government like the Satellite Media. Most probably that Mubarak party had a full plan and confidence that he will have whatever he wants of presidency periods for him self or his son and this is step is part of the NDP face lift. They have killed the opposition since years, last victim of NDP “democracy” was Ayman Nour . Can the dead speak or run for presidency- the government paved for us a door step not a run way- that what 2005 will show us.

By: MM

MM — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 16:36:39 +0000

Amen to what you said Sam!

By: Sam

Sam — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 08:44:19 +0000

Well first of all let us see you do something about the Apartheid regime in Israel before we can call you a spreader of democracy ( not to mention Tunesia, saudi and other retarded allies of the US) but I bet with all the Arabs I know that you will never put pressure on Sharon to end its stealing of Palestinian land, and its building of the racist Apartheid wall on palestinian land. Not to mention the flagrant discriminations on non-jewish citizens in the state itself.
As long as your support to Isreal in this flagrant way will continue, you can even resusitate mother Tereza and elect her for president, we will still hate your guts.

By: RichterClan.US

RichterClan.US — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 01:47:51 +0000

Democracy in the Middle East - Step by Step

Just like Glenn Reynolds of Instapundit said, the spread of democracy is a process. Well how about democratic elections in Egypt? Is that progress or what? And those Europeans said we backwards cowboys were crazy with our free democratic ways.

Wh…

By: Sam

Sam — Sun, 27 Feb 2005 16:18:28 +0000

this certainly opnes up some perspectives. Its a victory for the forces of change in Egypt, and a present for the credibility of the american master of puppets. However it is still to be seen in how far this will realy be translated in a serious campaign and free elections.
I think the oppsoition should rally arround one candidate. Amr Moussa would be ideal, however he is too frightened to undertake that step. I think the main point here is what will be after Moubarak and not during his life. I think once he kicks the bucket we can see maybe a real campaign in Egypt between gamal Moubarak and other contenders.

By: Josh Stacher

Josh Stacher — Sun, 27 Feb 2005 13:27:39 +0000

Excellent analysis issandr.
One slight matter I defer on….I keep trying to imagine what it was like to be an observer in 1976 when Sadat introduced the multi-party platforms…..that did not really end so well and certainly was never designed to bring democratic development.

That said, 1976 is still probably bigger than yesterday’s announcement according to my reading.

Good and thorough job man.

By: Jorrit

Jorrit — Sun, 27 Feb 2005 10:56:47 +0000

Thumbs up Issandr.
Who will be a ’serious respectable’ candidate? I am afraid Egyptians will have the freedom to choose which Mubarak to rule for the next five years…
Ofcourse this decision is historical and a first step, but Article 77 might need some adjustments as well. Elections are a form of handing over your real democratic powers for a long period, it only takes one day every five years. The limitations on power are far more important to ensure a true representation of the people’s will.
I am rather sceptical about the motives of Mubarak’s decision to make this step ‘in line with the stage of this nation’s history’. I think he is more interested in his own history and is only trying to increase his power. Outwardly he can score some bonus points by ‘reducing’ his power and after his reelection he will claim his powers to be democratic. But democracy is more than free elections.
I am curiously looking forward to future developments and your next analysis.

By: Simon

Simon — Sun, 27 Feb 2005 10:21:10 +0000

I have often heard Amr Moussa suggested as the only realistic candidate for a popular election against the encumbent - is it now his turn to throw his hat into the ring?
Also, if Mubarak wins a multi-candidate presidential election at the end of the year, will this change the way he rules? Will he begin to behave in the way Bouteflika has in Algeria over the past year, pushing aside opponents while waving his mandate?
Simon

By: Chanad

Chanad — Sun, 27 Feb 2005 01:56:03 +0000

One small step in the right direction.

By: Jonathan Edelstein

Jonathan Edelstein — Sun, 27 Feb 2005 00:15:58 +0000

Thanks for keeping us informed.

By: The Head Heeb

The Head Heeb — Sun, 27 Feb 2005 00:15:53 +0000

Democratization in Egypt

Issandr el-Amrani reports that Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak will allow multiple candidates to take part in September’s presidential election. Currently, under Article 76 of the 1971 constitution, Egyptian presidential elections are much like those…

By: MM

MM — Sat, 26 Feb 2005 23:54:25 +0000

The coming weeks and months may see a rekindling of the interest in what I thought was a pretty liberal constitution known as the “CONSITITUTION IN THE GARBAGE PIN” . Any idea if the full text of this consitituion is available?

By: MM

MM — Sat, 26 Feb 2005 23:50:21 +0000

Thanks Issandr. Let us assume that there will be at least one other contender for the presidency and none of them is a brotherhood memeber and that voting will be by secret ballot. It seems to me this will be the first time we will get a pretty good idea of the strength of and political clout of the Brotherhood in the country. If I were a Brotherhood member (God forbids), I would vote against Mubarak. This will be very interesting to watch.

By: praktike

praktike — Sat, 26 Feb 2005 22:27:18 +0000

Thanks for this, Issandr.

Neil MacFarquhar (Scotch-Egyptian?) has this:

“Essam el-Eryan, a leader in the Muslim Brotherhood, a fundamentalist group that is banned as a party, noted that the revised amendment might limit the choice of candidates by barring those not endorsed by a legal political party.”

I saw in an earlier piece that another MB guy said they would study this and decide what to do.