Muslim Brotherhood’s Morsi becomes Egypt’s first elected president

Mohammed Morsi was elected president in Egypt’s first free presidential election on Sunday, declaring he would be the leader “for all Egyptians”. 

Muslim Brotherhood’s Morsi is the first Islamist to be elected president in Egypt. He held 51.7% of the votes in a close race with the former Prime Minister of Egypt Ahmed Shafiq who attained 48.3%. 

Morsi has now moved into the office previously belonging to Hosni Mubarak and is currently structuring his new government. The newly elected president is attending meetings and consultations today to discuss the new power structure of Egypt. 

Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, head of the military council congratulated Morsi’s victory. The military still holds the majority of power in Egypt, which could lead to a power struggle between the new government and the military. 

The free presidential election comes after the revolution that broke out in the beginning of 2011 and led to the Arab Spring. Morsi paid tribute to the 900 protesters killed in the Arab uprisings and claimed: “I wouldn’t have been here between your hands as the first elected president without the blood, the tears, and sacrifices of the martyrs.” 

The victory for Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood ended a week of rising tension due to Egyptian authorities’ decision to delay the announcement of the new president. 

The Muslim Brotherhood is one of the largest Islamic movements in the world, and Morsi’s victory was welcomed by chanting and parading by his supporters in Tahrir Square. 

Line Elise Svanevik