The Hill News

The immediate lesson emerging from Egypt’s historic first-round electoral process is that the eventual victor has no alternative but to lead an inclusive power-sharing government of national unity.  It must be representative of a cross-section of Egyptian society. Devising a new system, accompanied by a fresh constitution, must unfold as a collective effort. 

The transition from autocracy to democracy, and confronting pressing economic challenges, requires critical burden-sharing.  Increasing international aid and restoring foreign direct investment and tourism are indispensable to Egypt’s economic survival. This was further underlined by its recent credit downgrading.
 
Expectations are for the Muslim Brotherhood, now rebranded as Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) to emerge as victors after completion of the electoral process.  Effectively leading a government of national unity would help bridge its credibility gap, allay fears of secular sk! eptics and broadly appeal to mainstream Egyptian society, the yet-to-emerge silent majority. 

Read more...