Who really decides in revolutionary Egypt?

Political forces and the media search for power brokers and behind-the-scenes manoeuvres, forgetting that the masses in the street are deciding their own history

Wael Gamal , Thursday 11 Jul 2013
Ahram Online

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No one has control over the millions who took to the streets on 30 June and who called for protest again on Sunday, 7July. While they welcomed intervention from above to support their demand of ousting Morsi, they will never allow another despotic regime to come to power. Their top demand is early elections, and more importantly their criteria are direct conciliation. On both issues, it appears the new ruling alliance, even after it settles its ranks, will not be able to meet the aspirations of the masses that are becoming increasingly vibrant and politicised.

The serious confusion about choosing the new prime minister indicates how chaotic the new alliance is, without any of its members having the upper hand in a fragile balance of power. Meanwhile, there is the omnipresent US requisite to adopt the IMF loan as a precondition for US political and Gulf economic support. This means continuing the same austerity policies, taxing the poor, and devaluation of the pound (which raises prices).

These are the same measures the Muslim Brotherhood tried to apply unsuccessfully, and that caused the masses to take to the streets to begin with. The new alliance, like its predecessor, relies on security institutions and is too weak to maintain a strong suppressive grip on unruly streets.

The revolutionary condition continues, and the final word remains with the street. Now do you know who really decides policies in Egypt?"