Egypt's Missed Chance for Real Reform

Shortly before the referendum on Egypt’s new constitution, held on Jan. 14-15, police beat and arrested citizens for hanging “No” posters. That says almost all you need to know about the supposedly fresh start this constitution represents. This is a flawed document, which will enshrine military rule under the next president—in all probability General Abdelfatah al-Seesi—and diminish hopes that Egypt will have a recognizable democracy anytime soon.

It seems likely that the country’s third basic law in as many years will be approved easily (results weren’t available at press time), not least because the main opposition, the Muslim Brotherhood, boycotted the vote to reduce turnout and therefore legitimacy. The sad part is that the constitution would have been approved even if Egypt’s military rulers had allowed a free campaign: This is the first nationwide vote since the military deposed former President Mohamed Mursi last year, and all sides see it as a referendum on the July 3 coup. After three years of turmoil, Egyptians just want the unrest to end and the economy to rebound.