February 26, 2005

Egypt's Mubarak orders election amendment

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Saturday ordered a review and amendment of the country's presidential election law, paving the way for the possibility of multi-candidate polls in September.

The surprise announcement follows increasing opposition calls within Egypt for political reform.

"This morning I have asked the parliament and the Shura Council to amend Article 76 of the constitution, which deals with the election of the president, to discuss it and suggest the appropriate amendment to be in line with this stage of our nation's history," Mubarak said in a speech broadcast live on Egyptian television.
[I've been to Egypt and this mustn't happen very often.
Usually you get soccer games and weird Egyptian music concerts on their TV, all taped!--Jen]

He said the amendment would be put to a ,b>general public referendum before the presidential polls, scheduled for September.

"The election of a president will be through direct, secret balloting, giving the chance for political parties to run for the presidential elections and providing guarantees that allow more than one candidate for the people to choose among them with their own will," Mubarak said.

The audience broke into applause and calls of support, some shouting, "Long live Mubarak, mentor of freedom and democracy!" Others spontaneously recited verses of poetry praising the government.

Mubarak said his initiative came "out of my full conviction of the need to consolidate efforts for more freedom and democracy."
[Wow!
When President Bush speaks, people listen, don't they?!]

Egyptian television reported that parliament and the consultative Shura Council convened emergency sessions to begin discussing an amendment.

Mubarak was speaking at Menoufia University, 40 miles north of Cairo. The announcement was a turnaround for the president, who just last month had rejected opposition demands to open presidential balloting to other candidates.

Mubarak, who became president in 1981 after the assassination of Anwar Sadat, has never faced off against an opponent in elections.

Terrific news!
Iraq's "Purple Revolution" continues to resound throughout the Middle East.
Of course, Mubarak will probably win this election, too, even with "opponents" but they'll get more opportunity to campaign and get out the vote in the next election after this one.
Freedom and democracy are on the march in the Arab world and Egypt has lots of problems, as well as lots of potential, for a democratic leader--with the consent, as well as the help, of the governed--to work on.
How refreshing for Mubarak to realize that the days of his ruling Egypt like a Pharaoh should come to an end!
(Wonder what changed his mind?
Dr. Condi was due for an official visit, but she had to cancel it.
Maybe it was Mubarak's trip to Crawford last year...?
Then, there's the isolation of the Palestinian territories, too, with no more Arafat.
And in Syria/Lebanon, self-appointed President-for-Life Assad ain't looking too popular.
It could be all of the above, plus something more.
Who knows?
We do indeed live in interesting and mysterious times!)