EGYPT: Betting on the distant possibility of reform through elections

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Throughout the Arab world, elections are being dismissed by some critics as meaningless shams meant to give Western donors and the international community an impressive of good show without actually allowing ordinary people to participate in governing themselves.

As part of a series of video interviews ahead of this month’s Egyptian parliamentary elections, the Carnegie Middle East Center interviewed Sayyid Badawi, president of Egypt’s opposition New Wafd Party.

He discusses the upcoming parliamentary elections, his party’s decision to participate -- despite misgivings -- and the party’s political platform.

His views contrast starkly with those of opposition leader Ayman Nour, who appeared in a video as part of the same series.

-- Carnegie Middle East Center