Cairo Rose

Although we do not have long before departing Egypt, this visit, we were determined to enjoy Yasheen's roses (see yesterday's blip) in our apartment here in Cairo before we leave.

The local press recounted how well the population is responding to the Sisi government's exhortations to 'Do the right thing' by voting for their proposed amendments to debilitate further an already weak constitution, not that they frame it in such terms.

A few comments of voters, as reported:

'I do not have to read about the constitutional amendments, I trust the government 100% and will vote for them.'

'I will vote 'yes' because I want Sisi to complete the path he chose for developing the country.'

'Sisi didn’t have to take on this responsibility, so we should thank him, and support him.'

'We learned from experience that we cannot have a random president [one that is democratically elected] of any political persuasion. We should have a man who works for the state and is part of the government [the deep state of the army] and not a loud-mouthed politician.'

While this latter descriptor may hold a certain superficial attraction, it is not the way forward from dictatorship to democracy!

The polling stations reported a high turnout in the poorer areas of Cairo and a medium one, in the intellectual area of Zamalek. The flags were out at every station, with loud speakers playing nationalistic songs.

We saw it for ourselves in Zamalek. So it was in Nazi Germany at every election from 1933 to 1945 which the governing party, there, won by a landslide every time.

Authoritarian regimes prosper because the people are prepared to vest authority in them. When that stops, they become totalitarian regimes, and no one is safe, not even previous acolytes.

Plus ca change, c'est la même chose . . .

What a shame, I think, to be writing about these things on Easter Sunday, but needs must. 'Love one another, as I have loved you', continues to shine forth as the most compelling commandment. That we would all listen.