Egypt's democracy in danger

The revolution in Egypt started on January 25, 2011 with the first demonstrations on Cairo's Tahrir Square. But the military and the likely victory of the Muslim Brotherhood are jeopardising the country's burgeoning democracy, writes the Moroccan writer Tahar Ben Jelloun in the left-liberal daily La Repubblica: "The recent events on Tahrir Square have forced us to revise our opinions. What took place a year ago in Egypt was not a revolution but a military putsch. Mubarak did not leave the country [sic] under the pressure of the protests - numerous though they were - but at the express wish of the military junta. ... No one is shedding any tears over his departure, but the population is calling for a fair trial and above all that the return of the billions of dollars he stole from the people. But the military has opted for a different course. It has robbed the people of their revolution, while everything points to an election victory for the Muslim Brothers. But this election is not democratic, because votes alone do not mean democracy. That requires recognition of the basic values of democracy. However religion is not always compatible with democracy."

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