Egypt's ruling generals accused of buying time to stay in power

[alp227]

Source: The Guardian

Egypt's ruling military generals have unveiled plans that could see them retain power for another 18 months, increasing fears that the country's democratic transition process is under threat.

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) took control of Egypt after the toppling of President Hosni Mubarak in February, and initially promised to return to their barracks within six months. But since then the "roadmap" to an elected, civilian government has been beset by delays and controversies, fuelling speculation that the army could be buying time in an attempt to shoehorn one of their own senior commanders into the presidency.

This week Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi denied that any candidates would emerge from the country's powerful military establishment.

"These are only rumours and we shouldn't waste time talking about rumours," said Egypt's current de facto ruler, who provoked a frenzy of media coverage when he made an unprecedented appearance in civilian clothing on a Cairo street recently – a move many analysts described as a carefully orchestrated political stunt.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/06/egypt-military-accused-buying-time

[AndyTiedye]

1. This is Complicated

A few months ago, we were hearing from the pro-democracy side that 6 months was too soon,
and would end up handing power to the Muslim Brotherhood if elections were held then.

[No Elephants]

3. Which is the side that is anti-democracy? Is there a significant group saying

(publicly) that Egyptians should not have the right to vote?

If people are truly free to vote, it's a democracy, regardless of for whom they choose to vote.

[No Elephants]

2. Who saw that coming?

I did.

[Arctic Dave]

4. Really!? OMG! Who could have known.

So much for the, it's not a coup, meme.

Now do you see why they let them do what they did up until HM left. As soon as he was out protest were not allowed.