So the results of the 1st round of the Egypt Presidential elections are out. The 2 final contestants for the final run-off round are Ahmad Shafiq and Mohamed Morsy. Many Egyptians perceive Shafik as linked to the old regime - he has been campaigning on the platform of order and stability. The other candidate Morsi - a Muslim Brotherhood candidate - is expected by many secular minded Egyptians to bring about a religious flavour to the government - thereby possibly putting at risk the secular nature of Egyptian society.
Hence for that reason I could not see too much of happiness on display on Cairo streets - Egyptians will now be forced to choose between the 2 extremes, a situation that could only favour Morsi who has a strong party machine working for him.
For a person coming from a chaotic democracy like India, this still seems like a good situation to be in. Unlike in India, the Egypt Presidential system will not bring about the kind of paralysis and logjam that characterises Indian democracy. I am sure whoever wins the elections will follow pragmatic policies and work towards strengthening law and order, and putting Egypt economy back into the growth path.
Hence for that reason I could not see too much of happiness on display on Cairo streets - Egyptians will now be forced to choose between the 2 extremes, a situation that could only favour Morsi who has a strong party machine working for him.
For a person coming from a chaotic democracy like India, this still seems like a good situation to be in. Unlike in India, the Egypt Presidential system will not bring about the kind of paralysis and logjam that characterises Indian democracy. I am sure whoever wins the elections will follow pragmatic policies and work towards strengthening law and order, and putting Egypt economy back into the growth path.
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