Two and a half years after the ousting of Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian streets have spoken
again. Mohamed Morsi has been ousted after a one-year reign and four days of
demonstrations on an unprecedented scale in the history of the country. The Egyptians have
reminded the world that an election is not a blank cheque which leaves representatives
free from all constraint. Real democracy involves control over those mandated by those
giving the mandate and it would be nothing without the ability to remove those who betray
their mandate. No constitution gives that power to the workers (except for some "recall
referendums", ? la Chavez) - the ruling classes would be too afraid of the democratic
spiral that could eventually be damaging to them.
Unconcerned with constitutions, the law, the supposed "democratic legitimacy" of
elections, the workers in Egypt have reclaimed their destiny through collective and
revolutionary mobilization. Let our little Western bosses beware, and let workers around
the world take note!
However this second revolution, with the intervention of the army in the final eviction of
Morsi, has taken on the aspects of a coup. Though the military have merely confirmed a
conclusion made ??inevitable by the people, it does give a disastrous symbolic impression.
But beyond the symbol, the military are in a good position to resume authoritarian power,
one similar to the regime that the people drove out two and a half years ago. As holders
of a large share of the country's wealth (35% of GDP), the military are looking forward to
fully regaining control of political power, which is the guarantee of continuity of their
business empire, one which does not take into account the interests of the workers.
Alternative Libertaire supports the Egyptian social movements and all progressive forces
in the fight against the Islamists and the army to bring about in Egypt freedom, social
equality and genuine democracy based on popular power.
Alternative Libertaire
4 July 2013
Translation by FdCA - International Relations Office
Related Link: http://www.alternativelibertaire.org
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