Econintersect: One week after the election voting took place, Egypt’s Election Commission has declared Mohamed Morsi (pictured), the Muslim Brotherhood candidate, the winner. He defeated Ahmed Shafiq, a conservative military officer closely identified with deposed dictator Hosni Mubarak. Shafiq had served as Premier under Mubarak.
Morsi is a U.S. educated engineer and an Islamist. His campaign was supported not only by Muslim organizations but also by Arab Spring revolutionary groups from Trahrir Square and leftist groups. According to CNN, Morsi received almost 52% of the popular vote and Shafiq just over 48% in the first democratic presidential election in Egypt’s history. More than 25 million votes were cast in the most populous Arab country. Click on photo for larger picture of Mohamed Morsi.
Morsi ran on a platform that pledged independence; focus on national interests and representation for broad constituencies. He has made a move to emphasize that he does not intend to be a partisan president. According to CNN:
After his victory was announced, Morsi resigned from the Muslim Brotherhood and the Freedom and Justice Party, in an apparent effort to send the message that he will represent all Egyptians.
The election has not resolved the basic question of who actually governs Egypt. The military is still in firm control of the country and questions remain about whether they will relinquish power to the elected government as scheduled for 30 June. According to The New York Times these are actions taken by the military this month:
With just two weeks to go until their promised exit from power by June 30, the generals instead shut down the democratically elected and Islamist-led Parliament; took over its powers to make laws and set budgets; decreed an interim constitution stripping the new president of most of his power; and re-imposed martial law by authorizing soldiers to arrest civilians. And the general gave themselves an effective veto over provisions of a planned permanent constitution as well.
Sources:
- Muslim Brotherhood’s Morsi declared Egypt’s new president (CNN Wire Staff, 24 June 2012)
- For Islamist, a Symbolic Win in Egypt (David D. Kirkpatrick, The New York Times, 24 June 2012)
- Egypt to announce result of presidential election Borzou Daragahi, Financial Times, 23 June 2012)
