Beyond Tahrir: Public Opinion post #Jan25

Egyptian public opinion finally counts for something. But it’s being sorely underestimated by the activists who came from Tahrir. Therein lies a great challenge as Egypt strives to move forward.

The lessons were there from almost day one. The no-vote in the constitutional referendum a year ago was the first sign. Most, if not all, of the revolutionary forces advocated a no-vote — and for legitimate and well-intentioned reasons. They lost the vote, by a magnificent landslide — 78% voted in favour of the constitutional amendments. What was more, it was clear from the voting patterns that those who voted ‘no’ were focused in very small parts of the population — which should have provided open, and key intelligence to the revolutionary forces about where their power base is, and where it wasn’t. That didn’t happen.

The opening of the article. The full text is at Daily News Egypt.