On May 23, Egypt held the first democratic presidential elections since the overthrow of Mubarak. In the first round, none of the candidates managed to get the majority of votes, so the winner will be determined in the second round of elections, which will take place on June 16-17, 2012.
In May, Egypt held the country's first democratic presidential elections. Two candidates entered the second round: a representative from the Party of Freedom and Justice, the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood Islamist party, Mohammed Morsi and Ahmed Shafik, a former commander of the Egyptian Air Force. Most commentators on the Egyptian elections agree that the second round is a choice between Islamists and the military, Islamic radicalism and secularism. But in reality, for Egypt, there is not much difference in who wins, since none of the candidates has the full influence that would allow him to rule without looking back at the electoral rivals. This means that you still have to negotiate.
At the moment, no one can say for sure which politician will win. Each of them has its own supporters, both candidates made numerous promises. The Islamist Mursi is supported by a large layer of the Egyptian poor, since the Muslim Brotherhood not only actively promotes assistance to the poorest segments of the population, but also actually provide this assistance. In particular, they built schools and hospitals for the poor throughout the country under the Mubarak regime. It was Mursi who won the largest number of votes in the first round. General Ahmed Shafiq is supported by the intelligentsia and all strata of the population oriented towards an open secular state. Islamic radicalism scares many people, so even those who supported other candidates and have no particular sympathy for the general can vote for him in the second round. The military, who overthrew Mubarak and have full power in the country, urge people to come to the polls and promise to transfer power to the elected president.
Either way, Egypt will benefit from the elections. Both candidates are well aware that the country needs changes, that there is no way to the past. A new constitution is to be adopted, economic reforms are to be carried out. The majority of the Egyptian population lives on less than two dollars a day, so both candidates understand the need to boost the country's economy.
