In comments that seem aimed at winning at least a little electoral success in votes that have been shockingly lopsided, top secular political leaders in Egypt today accused the Islamist blocs of having forged a secret deal to “go easy” on the military junta.
The evidence of the claim centers around the junta’s attacks on several US-funded political NGOs across Egypt, many of whom were supporting the secular blocs. The junta did not target Islamist NGOs, even though many have funding from nations like Saudi Arabia.
Whether this proves complicity, or is simply a function of the junta fearing making the Islamist blocs any angrier is unclear. The public indications are far from the two sides being in cahoots, as the overwhelming Islamist victory in the elections has led to junta calls to simply ignore parliament and continue ruling themselves.
While the junta has used the “specter” of Islamist rule to justify its anti-democracy moves, it seems that hurts the Islamists more than anyone, given that free elections have so far been very good to them.