On the "election"

On the 7th of September the first multi-candidate election in Egypt's 'democratic' history occurred. During my first couple of weeks here, I have spoken with a number of Egyptians--Muslim and Christian both--regarding not only this current election but also the general political atmosphere of Egypt. It was evident from the news and small talk that this was to be a highly anticipated event. When 10 candidates from a spectrum of political parties run against each other in a free-for-all election, the potential for disturbance must be certainly entertained. But at the end of the day on the 7th, it had been a remarkably smooth election with little to speak of besides a few small demonstrations downtown. Perhaps the presence of scores of riot police and military convoys around the city deterred the crowds... Regardless, Mr. Mubarak succeeded in winning an unprecedented 5th term (6 year terms--you do the math) in office, as the Senate voted a couple of days ago to yet again suspend the constitutional requirement for a 2 term limit. Seems as though they must really love him then, right?? Yes and no. Mubarak has a following, yet the numbers of the following seems nowhere near close to the 99.9% approval of 6 years ago or even the 75% majority of this year's election.

For the reality as I have experienced in the few weeks here is that Egypt is still a developing country. Walking the alleyways of Cairo reveals gravel paths, donkeys pulling carts, wandering goats and chickens, and piles of garbage. Much could be done to improved the infrastructure of the city. And outside Cairo, as we saw on our trip to Fayoum, you can observe an agrarian culture living in mud huts. The quality of life for your average Cairean or rural Egyptian is simply incomparable to American standards. And Egyptians recognize that in 24 years of office, not a whole lot has changed. As my Arabic teacher said, "What has he to show for his time?? Nothing. Nothing at all..."

But the political climate here in Egypt is highly charged with religiosity. Of the 10 candidates running, three were supported by islamic fundamentalist parties (seeking to apply sharia law in Egypt, thus making it into an Islamic state like Iran). On the other side, none of the candidates were Christian candidates, but several sympathetic to their cause and rallied behind a campaign of religious freedom. Mr. Mubarak is a moderate in this highly factional state. He has walked a perfect middle line in his time in office. In matters of religion, he has protected the rights of the Christians in an Islamic society but limited the development of its institutions, thereby appeasing the Islamic masses. It is well known that to build a new Christian church or a new school is a highly bureaucratic process exacting much patience. Yet the alternative of institutionalized sharia (islamic) law is desired only by a limited fundamentalist few here in Egypt. And economically, while the streets might be dirty and plumbing is limited, McDonald's, Chili's, TGI Friday's, and KFC have made their way into Egyptian along with other modern consumer goods, offering the perception of 'forward' progress masked in consumerism in the effort for modernization. And so while they have not seen the desired level of progress expected from 24 years in office, Egyptians have come to value Mubarak's stability.

And so was the election over before it started?? Probably (although Mubarak claimed that every candidate was granted a governmental stipend of $250,000 for campaigning, he is also the 6th richest man in the world compliments of the West--another story for another time). It seems from talking with many that he was the only legitimate choice in the eyes of the people. "We are a people that don't like change," I heard from the principle of the school here. The Egyptians joke about the previous elections: the ballots were oriented for one candidate, Mubarak, and one could vote either yes or no (The last election was 99.9% yes. The man who voted 'no' was blind: it was a forgivable mistake:>) And as only 30% of the 50% registered voters in Egypt showed up at the polling stations, it seems that internal politics will continue to be a subject often distant from and somewhat comical for many Egyptians. Why bother with the traffic and delay dinner for a perceived inevitable result??