Egypt's generals act to negate outcome of presidential poll

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: The Guardian

Egypt's generals awarded themselves sweeping political powers in an 11th-hour constitutional declaration that tied the hands of the country's incoming president and cemented military authority over the post-Mubarak era.

The announcement on Sunday night came as early presidential election results put the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohamed Morsi ahead of his rival Ahmed Shafik, Mubarak's final prime minister and an unabashed champion of the old regime. But with thousands of polling stations yet to declare following the two-day runoff vote, the overall winner was too close to call.

Pro-change activists and human rights campaigners said the junta's constitutional declaration – which came just days after judges extended the army's ability to arrest civilians and following the dissolution of the Brotherhood-dominated parliament by the country's top court – rendered the scheduled handover of power to a democratically elected executive meaningless.

The Brotherhood was quick to label the declaration "null and unconstitutional", raising the prospect of a dramatic showdown within the highest institutions of the state.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jun/18/egypts-generals-act-presidential-poll?newsfeed=true

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This could turn out to be the biggest international result form today's 3 elections.

[Lol ita]

1. Sad

Some places will never have democracy.

[Edweird]

2. Did they run out of cameras or something?

[Mr.Turnip]

3. I don't know what would be worse for Egpyt

A military dictatorship, or the theocracy that the Brotherhood would likely legislate into effect.

[ArcticFox]

6. Are you serious?

You would buy the line that democracy is great, so long as they vote for the right guy?

[Uncle Joe]

15. The one; that would be worse is the one that usurps democracy and the will of the people. n/t

[Exultant Democracy]

17. Is this based on you extensive knowlegede and study of the muslim brotherhoods history?

Or you understanding based on you study of the make up and philosophy of their current leadership?

[hifiguy]

4. This is NOT good

Expect millions of Egyptians in the streets.

[Phoonzang]

5. Muslim brotherhood or a military dictatorship...hmm.... nt

[David__77]

7. The situation is difficult.

The MB does not want to "create a pretext" for an even more overt coup by mobilizing its forces to defend the parliament. But what has occurred is a real coup. SCAF is a continuation of the old order and is attempting to ensure its long-term veto.

[snot]

8. K&R'd.

(And b.t.w., I'm worried that bullies worldwide are encouraged by what's happening in Syria.)

[CrazyBob]

9. Unfortunately, we have to support the Muslim Brotherhood indirectly

It's not the most comfortable position to be in. But they won. And we as a nation have to insist that the results of the election should stand.

There is good news, though! Liberalism works! If we support the rule of law in Egypt, it lets people around the world know that they can count on the USA to do what's right. That, my friends, is worth more than gold.

During the Bush admin, we failed miserably at this. And in my opinion, Pres Obama failed miserably during the efforts to oust Mubarak. But here is another golden opportunity to practice what we preach!

[dixiegrrrrl]

12. You do know the US is backing the military, yes?

Not openly, of course.

[lupulin]

13. What evidence is there of the US backing the Egyptian military?

[dixiegrrrrl]

16. See:

Actions speak louder than words.

U.S. approves Egypt military aid despite rights fears
Fri Mar 23, 2012 12:46pm EDT

(Reuters) - The Obama administration on Friday formally released $1.3 billion in military aid for Egypt despite Cairo's failure to meet pro-democracy goals, saying U.S. national security required continued military assistance.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/23/us-egypt-usa-aid-idUSBRE82M0UG20120323

[lupulin]

18. Thanks for the link.

Though that does look like it's fairly open.

[dixiegrrrrl]

19. Dear ole State Dept/Hillary says all the politically correct things

for public consumption, while behind the scenes the gov't sells weapons to both sides,
and is terrified that actual democracy might break out somplace in the world.
It is an easily observable pattern, takes just a quick glance at history to see it.

[dipsydoodle]

10. Egypt Islamists claim presidency, army rules

(Reuters) - Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood said on Monday its candidate won the country's first free presidential election, but a sweeping legal manoeuvre overnight by Cairo's military rulers made clear the generals planned to keep control for now.

An election committee source told Reuters that Islamist Mohamed Morsy, a U.S.-educated engineer, was comfortably ahead of former air force general Ahmed Shafik with most of the votes tallied. But the count, which would make him the first civilian leader in 60 years, had yet to be officially finalised.

In any event, however, the new president will be subordinate for some time at least to the military council which last year pushed fellow officer Mubarak aside to appease street protests.

In the latest twist on Egypt's tortuous path from revolution to democracy, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) issued a decree as two days of voting ended on Sunday which set strict limits on the powers of head of state. On the eve of the election, it had already dissolved the Islamist-led parliament.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/06/18/uk-egypt-election-idUKBRE85G01W20120618

[Festivito]

11. Gee, is a "constitutional declaration" a ruse phrasing?

Is it a declaration from a Constitution, or,
is it a declaration for a Constitution?

[Lurks Often]

14. That's a hell of a choice

The military dictatorship composed mostly of political & religious moderates (by Middle East standards) or the elected party composed of mostly people that seem to want to institute Sharia type law to Egypt.