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What Next in the New Egypt?
After the euphoria of Mubarak's resignation, Egyptians discuss fundametal politi
cal and economic reforms.
By Ehab Kotb -
13 Feb 11
Things are getting back to normal in Cairo, but everybody is talking about what'
s next, discussing what we need to see happen now in our country, both economica
lly and politically, and in terms of establishing justice and transparency for t
he future.
Some main concerns have emerged. There is agreement over how much we need clear
economic development, not just economic growth. We have to increase GDP, but eve
ryone has to have a share in wealth generation. We need to rethink taxation and
health insurance, to create job opportunities, and not only in the cities, but i
n Upper Egypt, the Delta, the governorates where poverty is very high.
We're also aware that the situation is more difficult because of all that we hav
e lost economically during the days of protest. Civil society is going to have t
o help educate people not to have their expectations raised so high that they ar
e then disappointed and frustrated.
The other question is - are we going to have a presidential or a parliamentary s
tate. Some people are saying that since we have had the presidential system sinc
e 1952, we should keep it; the implementation was wrong, not the system itself.
Others say a parliamentary set-up is better, because they are worried about deal
ing with a president supported by the system who then becomes untouchable. As fa
r as the Muslim Brotherhood are concerned, they have been quiet â too quiet. They sa
y that they will not field a candidate for presidential elections and do not see
k to gain a majority in parliament.
This is unusual and uncharacteristic, because as long as I can remember, they ha
ve been very outspoken and have tried to take the lead in any movement, even if
it has nothing to do with them. It worries me, I wonder why they are holding bac
k and I really don't know.
But then all the political parties are acting in quite a subdued manner. They ar
e all waiting to see what the army will do and for them to clarify what their fu
ture is likely to look like. People were very pleased with the army announcement
on Saturday, February 12, when they said that they will hand over to a civil go
vernment, ensure a peaceful, stable transition and then go back to their camps.
But at the same time, the public is still worried about military involvement in
the political process as they have not yet given any time-frame for a transfer o
f power or parliamentary elections. The present cabinet is continuing to sit but
apart from that we are still unsure over what the next step will be.
Elections are due in September according to the old constitution but now the mil
itary are running the country this no longer applies. They could announce electi
ons next month or next year, but it's important for us to know, soon, what the t
ime-frame is for the handover. We need transparency â that was one of the major prob
lems with the old regime.
There are still no police on the streets of Cairo. I think we are the only city
on the planet without police! But apart from that, it looks back to being a norm
al city.
The protests have dispersed, apart from some people still in Tahrir Square. Ther
e are crowds there who are saying they won't leave until they get specific commi
tments from the army on the hand-over of power and the lifting of the state of e
mergency. Elsewhere in Cairo, it's crowded as usual, shows are open again, peopl
e are are going to work. I haven't heard about any acts of revenge or retributio
n.
The mood right now, especially amongst the young people, is that just as we were
once punished for having a different opinion, we must now accept those who have
a different opinion from us.
But everybody is demanding an investigation into who gave the orders to shoot on
the protestors and for them to be judged, even if it was the president himself.
We need to know who was responsible, and apply the law.
Cairo-based Ehab Kotb is a member of IWPRâ s Middle East programme.