Presidential debates are a first in Egypt. Egyptians used to hear of them and watch them take place between presidential contenders in other countries, but never in Egypt. Yet debates play
Presidential debates are a first in Egypt. Egyptians used to hear of them and watch them take place between presidential contenders in other countries, but never in Egypt. Yet debates play a significant role in exposing concealed features which a candidate may not disclose. Predictably, a candidate’s electoral programme and public meetings focus on all that is positive in his character, history, achievements, and vision for the future. In a debate, however, candidates face off in defending their views against attacks and criticism, and attempting to persuade the electorate to vote for them. A candidate more often than not has to face taunts and criticisms from opponents that attempt to cast him or her into a negative light before the voters.
The first-ever presidential debate in Egypt was held on the evening of Thursday 10 May and was televised live. It extended over five hours between the two candidates who the polls suggested were the top contenders for the presidency: Amr Moussa and Abdel-Moniem Abul-Fotouh. Moussa is a former foreign minister and Arab League chief, and Abul-Fotouh is an independent Islamist who is supported by a huge swath of Egypt’s Islamists including the Salafis. The candidates answered questions on the traditional topics of health, employment and education, and swapped sharp exchanges as they attacked each other’s pasts.
Post-debate polls revealed divergent response by the public; the candidates gained or lost support in some cases, in others their popularity remained constant. The real difference, however, lies with the number of “undecided” in the public who were led to make up their minds, whether in favour of one of these two candidates or any of the other 11 contenders. The coming Wednesday and Thursday should see at least the first round of the elections decided; the run-offs will take place in mid-June.
Throughout the campaigning period Watani has tried to maintain an objective, non-biased stance. Even though I have made up my mind on who I will vote for but, as chief editor of the paper I have to keep my opinion to myself and exercise professional objectivity. True, Watani favours the liberal stream over the Islamist, but it has nonetheless taken it upon itself to offer its readers the viewpoints of the various candidates.
Today, the reader will find with the paper a special supplement which provides everything one needs to know about the contenders, their ideologies, attitudes, platforms, and experience. Through interviews and meetings, the candidates are afforded an opportunity to highlight what they have in mind to lead Egyptians to realise their aspirations for democracy, freedom, equality and justice against a backdrop of knowledge, culture, development, modernity, and progress. The reader is then free to make up his own mind who to vote for.
It is of major importance that all Egyptians should go down to the polls to cast their ballots. Egypt deserves that each of us should exercise awareness, vision, and a free will that is not bought or waylaid into any decision that goes against his or her conscience. I wish to see an unprecedented turnout to illustrate Egyptians’ post-revolution interest and active participation in running their country.
Finally, a word to every contender:
We have all followed the fierce competition for the presidency of Egypt; the taunts and criticism directed by the candidates to one another were not lost on us. Once the race is over, however, I wish that every candidate would have two speeches ready, one for the populace if he wins and the other for his supporters in case he loses. If we are happy to copy presidential debates from well-established democracies, we might as well copy their refined manner in accepting defeat. The recent French elections which Hollande won and Sarkozy lost can be, for us, a role model.
WATANI International
20 May 2012