Egypt’s choice:The Founding Brothers-The Economist

The week prior to the referendum saw rival marches,violent incidents and some deaths although the ballot itself has passed off relatively peacefully withthe army keeping order.The political tension is aggravated by economic woes. Trapped between his own haste to force through the vote and a deadline for the IMF to approve a rescue package, Mr Morsi has undermined confidence in Egypt’s foundering economy by announcing, then abruptly rescinding, a set of sweeping tax rises, the Economist points out.

Should the draft constution be approved as seems likely it would leave  Egyptin a similar situation as under Mubarak -an all powerful president and through him the Muslim Brotherhood would obtain a grip on power which it would be unlikely to let go easily. some parts of the draft are unclear or contardictory which would have to be decided by law. The army will enjoy a privileged role asit did under Mubarak.

When Mr Morsi won the presidency in June by a slim margin, he signalled magnanimity by formally quitting the Muslim Brotherhood and appointing a largely technocratic government. Egyptians cheered in August when he removed the domineering generals who had shakily guided the post-revolutionary transition. But Mr Morsi has proven equally erratic and domineering, The Economist says. The Brotherhood, meanwhile, has infiltrated state institutions. It has tried to shape the message of the state-owned press, arranged for its members to distribute government-subsidised goods, and quietly scaled back family-planning programmes.

Mr Morsi ignored calls to broaden the body that decided on the constitution and when the secular members left
the committee he rushed the draft through the Shura council in a single night's sitting. Morsi's supporters blockaded the Constitutional court and the independent broadcast media. Having promised to represent all
Egyptians and inclusiveness he has followed a secterian path.  Even if the vote is a yes which is likely it will not heal the divide between islamic and secular in Egypt. The first round saw a turnout of between 30 and 32 percent whereas the presidential election was 50 per cent. There is just enough foreign exchange to cover three months of imports and Egypt's millionsof poor citizens see no chance of bettering their position and individual freedoms are under threat.