More Than 2 in the Runoff Election

Shafiq and Morsy
(picture from Egypt Independent)

The runoff election scheduled for June 16-17 is supposed to be between Ahmed Shafiq and Mohamed Morsy; yet each of these candidates, from the moment of their victories over the other 9 candidates in the first round, have received a negative response from the Egyptian populace.  Each have been trying to gain the endorsement of their former political rivals, yet they have not been able to get their support.  Protestors have taken to Tahrir and other city centers to protest each candidate, some even moving to raid and burn the downtown offices of Shafiq.  The revolution, the protestors say, has been hijacked by two unlikely candidates for the Presidency.  Less than 50% of the population voted in the first round (46%)--with a decision between two candidates that few support, voter turn out is expected to be far less, which would lead to a President elected by the minority of the people--not the recipe for peace and stability.

So though the election is supposed to be Shafiq versus Morsy, everyone else is trying to get back in the race.  Here's what we're reading and watching as we move toward the next election...

A socialist group in Egypt has presented 12 "conditions" for the polarizing Presidential candidates to agree to prior to the runoff election scheduled for June 16 - 17.  You can read the Egypt Independent article to see the details here.

For the most part, it's a fair idea presented to 2 unique candidates attempting to build bridges of trust and rapport with a majority of citizens who are not necessarily favorable of either.  The proposal includes commitments to creating a diverse government that would include youth, women and Coptics -- and that this same pattern of diversity would be represented the Constituent Assembly that needs to write the new Constitution.

Freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and freedom of the press are also all in there.  (The freedom of the press is interesting because there have been several statements among protestors that the press is what has contributed to the rise of Shafiq and the defeat of the revolutionary candidates; as well as several previous Muslim Brotherhood leadership statements against the press for their role in trying to hinder the revolution.)

So far the proposed conditions sound good; but then, as you read through the article, you come to the following 2 requirements,  "They would also be obligated to adopt policies that achieve social justice, narrow income differences and meet the basic needs of citizens in a dignified manner."  and, "...the candidates to acknowledge the right of the Egyptian people to revolt in case they fail to implement those conditions or violate the constitution and public freedoms." 


(Highlight mine; this could be a poor translation from Arabic to English, but "revolt" does seem to imply peaceful assembly or protest, but rather permission to overthrow in a potentially violent manner.)  Now we've moved from a good idea, to the mother of all "catch-22's" for these candidates; and, keep in mind, each of these candidates are desperate for a resounding victory or risk riots instead of a joyful inauguration.  Either candidate that agrees to this may gain enough favor to win the election--but at the same time, they may also empower a rival political agenda that will be a constant thorn in their leadership policies now and into the foreseeable future.  It appears that this overture is now being extended only to Morsy and not to Shafiq as Shafiq represents the former regime and the military; the Revolutionary Socialists say that they want to bring down the state and "the best solution for Egypt is to bring down the military's state and build a new one."



Meanwhile, there are continuing attempts to disqualify Shafiq.  This is not an attempt to hand the election to Morsy; on the contrary, by the thoughts of the protestors, a disqualified Shafiq would pit Morsy versus the Nasserist candidate Sabbahi in the runoff election as he finished a close third in the May 22-23 elections.  Sabbahi's rocketing popularity, perhaps now more than prior to the election, through his participation in the January 25 revolution and socialist appeal to the lower, working classes would make him the immediate favorite.  Such disqualification is now considered impossible according to this article, but it has not stopped the protestors from gathering and trying.



5th place finisher Abouel Fotouh is not finished trying to be a player in the Presidency.  He has met with Morsy to present his ideas for a national consensus.  It is unlikely that he is making the same overtures to Shafiq.



Islamic clerics have been preaching and promoting Morsy as the only choice in the upcoming election.  Religion is clearly at the forefront of this election and democratic process as leaders have "banned voting for Shafiq" saying that voting for Morsy "means supporting the Islamic project".

There were many accusations of a "Christian agenda" in voting for Shafiq in the previous election, setting Coptics on edge against not only Muslims but the young revolutionaries that are appalled at Shafiq's participation and now runoff candidacy.  Copts were quickly defended though in the media as journalists pointed out that Copts voted for Moussa, Shafiq, Fotouh, and Sabbahi, and that Shafiq won votes in regions that are typical Islamic strongholds.

(Note: We have been learning a lot through conversation and observation of the unique coexistence and tension between the Islamic majority and the Christian minority here in Egypt and will have future posts concerning different aspects of this cultural trait.)

There is so much more related to this upcoming runoff election.  I don't have the time or the references to offer regarding what former military members see at stake in this election, the conspiracy theories (not just within the country, but also among international interests), and so much more -- all of these demonstrate that this more than a 2 man race for the Presidency of the new democracy in Egypt.  Everyone and anyone seems to be jumping in here; the next few weeks will really be interesting.

Continue to pray for Egypt...