The first stage of Egypt's complex electoral system kicked off earlier today in Alexandria and Cairo, as millions of Egyptians headed to the polls - many for the first time in their lives - in peace and shocking quiet. The only disturbances, as far as I can tell, was from anxious voters annoyed at the long wait.
Voting will continue through tomorrow and results will not be immediately available, but these results could indicate whether the Muslim Brotherhood (Freedom and Justice Party), or the liberals (Egyptian Bloc) will gain control when the military eventually leaves power, although most expect the islamists will perform well, perhaps to the point of gaining an absolute majority.
I am hoping to God we were all wrong about Egyptian politics and the liberals are able to gain control, but if the results out of Tunisia are any indicator - our one-time allies are likely to move away from us, and their peace treaty with Israel towards islamism and conflict.
We will see what happens, but for once the inhabitants along the Nile are selecting their own future.
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