NYT: Islamists win vast majority of seats in Egyptian Parliament

[Middle-aged Europe]

The difference is that in Tunisia the Islamists have to form a coalition government with a social-liberal party.

A system in which the liberal party keeps the Islamists in check is preferable to a system in which the army keeps the Islamists in check.

Situation in Morocco is similar to Tunisia's btw, except there also the monarchy in addition to the secular parties with thom the Islamists have to govern now.

[Middle-aged Europe]

The difference is that in Tunisia the Islamists have to form a coalition government with a social-liberal party.

A system in which the liberal party keeps the Islamists in check is preferable to a system in which the army keeps the Islamists in check.

Are you kidding?  The Islamic Party will get rid of that liberal party as soon as they get into power.  They'll either be tortured in a dungeon or living in exile in Paris by the end of 2012.

Yeah, sure, whatever...

[Middle-aged Europe]

Also, given the fragmentation of the secular parties, I doubt Ennahda actually has to form a coalition with any of them. They could definitely run an ad hoc minority government. (Also, hesitant to call them all liberal, as the secular parties include things like the socialists and communists as well as the liberals, moderates and social democrats.)

Well, I was specifically referring to the Congress for the Republic which has become the second-largest party, and together with Ennahda they've got a majority.

Also, last thing I heard was that Ennahda gets the premiership, and the Congress for the Republic the presidency in the new government.