Democratic transition has begun in Egypt!

After seeing the "arabic spring", we can follow the first democratic presidential elections in Egypt. The expectations are in only one direction: the massive participation of the society, maybe much more than in the last parliamentary elections celebrated.


On 11th may Egypt has held its first ever televised presidential debate. Two candidates of the 13 running took part of it: Former Arab League chief Amr Moussa and ex-Muslim Brotherhood member Abdel Moneim Abol Fotouh. They showed up their views on religion and their experience in government. Considering 
the time that Egypt is walking to the democracy, the existence of a debate is something to celebrate as well.


Another thing really interesting (at least for me) is the electoral campaign. Limited by 1,3 million euros of expenditures, all the streets were full of electoral propaganda followed by incomplete laws about it. It's not necessary to say that the expenditure limit certainly has had no effects for candidates...


The polls indicate a second round between these two candidates, but there are other two possible candidates to run in the second round, Ahmed Shafiq (the last Mubarak's Prime Minister) and  Mohamed Morsi, member of other muslim movement with strong social support. It's important to say that there's a respectful part of the society who declared that they would vote for Shafiq, ignoring some past conection with Mubarak.


With the fear about the cleanliness of the elections, 14.000 judges will be responsible for the compliance with the electoral rules. Moreover, others 53 local NGO and 4 foreign organizations will follow all the process, including the Carter Center. All the observators are being protected by the army, considering the suspicious of violence, what fortunatelly didn't confirm. By now, the atmosphere is of tranquility. There were no early reports of vote-related violence and independent election monitors said they saw no major abuses.


With this political landscape, it's difficult to say something before Thursday... Better let them decide... Someone wants to bet?