The newly elected President Mohamed Morsi took the oath of office on Saturday, promising “a new Egypt and a second republic” in which the popular-will will be respected and the government will serve the
people. “Today, the Egyptian people laid the foundations for a dignified life, complete
freedom and a real democracy,” he declared.
He was obliged to take his oath before 18 judges at the Supreme Constitutional
Court, the same body that had ordered the dissolution of the parliament of his
peers before whom he had expected to take the oath. If he felt uncomfortable he
did not show it.
But the previous day he had made clear his real views when he addressed the
tumult in Tahrir Square, when he asserted that it was the people who were the
fount
of power, not the army, not the Supreme Constitutional Court. “The ministers, the government, the army, the police, all are listening to me
when I say no power is above this power, no power is above you. You are the
rulers.
You are the source of this power and authority.”
It was an act of defiance towards the generals but equally he might be held
hostage to his declaration. He won just over half the votes of just over half
the
electorate who cast their ballots. The majority of the people who he said were
the
source of his legitimacy did not vote for him.
The swearing in of the new president is the most significant single step in the
transfer of power, even if the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) re-asserted control over the affairs of the state after the dissolution
of parliament. SCAF will exercise power to pass laws in the absence of
parliament. It has also revived a long-dormant National Defence Council,
dominated by
officers, to oversee the military.
For more news and expert analysis about Egypt, please see Egypt Politics & Security.
© 2012 Menas Associates