Islamist claims victory in Egypt presidential voteMuzulmán Testvériség: Győztünk!
That pointed to a potential struggle over spheres of authority between Egypt’s two strongest forces. The Brotherhood has campaigned on a platform of bringing Egypt closer to a form of Islamic rule, but the military’s grip puts it in a position to block that. Instead any conflict would likely center on more basic questions of power.
In a victory speech at his campaign headquarters, Morsi clearly sought to assuage the fears of the large sector of Egyptians that the Brotherhood will try to impose stricter provisions of Islamic law. He said he seeks „stability, love and brotherhood for the Egyptian civil, national, democratic, constitutional and modern state” and made no mention of Islamic law.
„Thank God who led successfully us to this blessed revolution. Thank God who guided the people of Egypt to this correct path, the road of freedom, democracy,” the bearded, 60-year-old US-educated engineer declared.
He vowed to all Egyptians, „men, women, mothers, sisters, laborers, students … all its political factions, the Muslims, the Christians” to be „a servant for all of them.”
„We are not about taking revenge or settling scores. We are all brothers of this nation, we own it together, and we are equal in rights and duties.”
Final official results are not expected until Thursday. The Brotherhood’s declaration was based on results announced by election officials at individual counting centers, where each campaign has representatives who compile the numbers and make them public before the formal announcement.
The Brotherhood’s early, partial counts proved generally accurate in last month’s first round vote.
The group said Morsi took 51.8% of the vote to Shafiq’s 48% out of 24.6 million votes cast, with 98% of the more than 13,000 poll centers counted.
