The opposition does not agree with the results of the referendum

The publication of the official results of the referendum on the adoption of a new constitution for Egypt provoked further protests on the streets of Cairo. Representatives of the opposition declare their intention to continue demonstrations and try to challenge the voting results in court. The United States, meanwhile, calls on all parties to the conflict to overcome the accumulated differences as quickly as possible.

Groups opposing the Islamization of Egypt took to the streets of Cairo on Wednesday night, immediately after the official results of the referendum on the adoption of a new constitution were announced. According to the head of the Egyptian election commission, Samir Abu al-Muati, the draft basic law of the country was supported by 63.8% of voters, while 36.2% were against it. Turnout was 32.9%, with about 17 million people voting out of more than 50 million eligible to vote.

Egyptian oppositionists do not agree with the results of the national referendum. They intend to continue protests (the largest of them is planned for January 25), as well as take revenge on the Islamists in the next parliamentary elections, the date of which must be determined within two months. In the meantime, opponents of President Mohamed Morsi will try to get the referendum results reviewed in court.

Let us recall that earlier many judges expressed their disagreement with the policy of the new Egyptian authorities, which includes a course towards the Islamization of the country and the gradual concentration of power in the hands of the president. In particular, the chairman of the Supreme College of Judges, Ahmed Zand, said last week: judges in Egypt have never been subjected to such humiliation. In response, Mohammed Morsi's supporters threw stones at him.

The situation in Egypt continues to cause concern to the international community. “President Morsi, as a democratically elected head of state, has a special responsibility to move forward in recognizing the urgent need to overcome differences,” US State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said Tuesday. “We also hope that those Egyptians who are frustrated results (of the referendum—Kommersant), will strive for deeper agreement.” The diplomat also expressed the hope that “all parties to the conflict will commit themselves to condemn and prevent violence.”

Pavel Tarasenko

The Egyptian Constitution was officially approved