Egypt’s Brotherhood Takes The Lead

My piece on the first round of voting in Egypt’s presidential elections, published on New Matilda.

As the polls close on the second day of voting in Egypt’s first meaningful presidential elections, the Muslim Brotherhood’s candidateMohamad Morsy — who was polling in the low single digits just a few weeks ago — has emerged as the frontrunner.

His victory demonstrates the combined effectiveness of the Muslim Brotherhood’s grassroots organisational muscle, healthy funding base and the popular appeal of their moderate Islamic branding.

With official results not released until next week and the other major candidates too closely packed to call, it is as yet unclear who will compete with Morsy in the one-on-one second round, to take place in June….

Read the rest here.