Word: egypt
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...Brotherhood members have met with ElBaradei in recent weeks - as have representatives of Egypt's other opposition parties - as the former International Atomic Energy Agency chief begins to rally politicians, activists and intellectuals of varying political stripes to press for democratic changes to Egypt's constitution. His expanding coalition is so far composed of individuals rather than parties, but its energizing impact on the Egyptian political scene is unprecedented. And its potential to go further than any of its predecessors is demonstrated by the fact that the Muslim Brotherhood - which declined to join ranks with the last pro-democracy effort...
...alliance would also greatly expand the grass-roots organizational reach of ElBaradei's coalition, which has thus far been unable to set up regional campaign offices or raise funds in a closely controlled political system. "The national coalition doesn't need Tagamma or the Nasserists," says Joshua Stacher, an Egypt expert at Kent State University, referring to some of Egypt's established but largely inconsequential opposition parties. "They need the Brothers. You cannot have a movement pushing for political reform or change in Egypt without the Brothers on board...
...than any of the small liberal opposition groups that joined together in 2005 under the banner of Kifaya or those who supported the presidential campaign of Ayman Nour, who came in second to Mubarak in the country's first multicandidate presidential race. (Read "Will ElBaradei Run for President of Egypt...
...Previous efforts to unite Egypt's disparate opposition parties ended badly. And as the Brotherhood knows better than most, the first obstacle to achieving democratic reform may be the determination of the 28-year Mubarak regime to suppress such challenges. Despite recognizing the potential of an alliance with ElBaradei's coalition, Brotherhood spokesman Moursi warns that the obstacles are severe: "I don't think in the near future it will lead to real reform. Not even in the 2011 elections...
...successful democratic movement requires active grass-roots support in Egypt, having the Brotherhood on board may be key to reaching the masses. And its steel may be as important to ElBaradei's coalition as its popular support. "From what I've seen, one strong swing of a truncheon, and things really fall apart in the opposition," says Egypt expert Stacher. "They won't fall apart on the Brothers if they do this...