Tuesday August 31, 2010

I've Been Thinking:

Egypt has been in a tumult these last few days.

Posters appeared throughout the country abdicating for Gamal Mubarak, son of Hosni Mubarak, to be the next president of Egypt.

Why is this at all interesting? Primarily because there has been no discussion, either public or private, about succession. And those who have rejected the ideas of political succession have been arrested or silenced.

Now a serious dissident, Saad Eddin Ibrahim, has signed a petition for Mubarak. Ibrahim claims that he signed in order to support a real election not to endorse the candidate/son.

Do not expect a real debate - but the young Mubarak does have many things going for him as the successor. Then again, he also has many negative traits.

If Mubarak junior is to become the next president of Egypt it will happen because he has been firmly placed in position by his father, so firmly placed that there can be no doubts about his credentials.

This will not be an easy political task. Then again, Mubarak the father has never shied away from difficult tasks.

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