Egypt stops to watch the first TV presidential debate in the country's history
Cairo (AsiaNews/ Agencies) - Millions of Egyptians crowded cafés, cinemas and squares to follow the first presidential debate in Egyptian history between the two frontrunners, Amr Moussa and Moneim Aboul Fotouh (video).
Moussa was the secretary general of the Arab League until May 2011, and previously served as foreign minister under Mubarak. He is backed by secular and pro-democracy movements that led the Jasmine Revolution.
His rival, Fotouh, is a prominent former member of the Muslim Brotherhood and current president of the Arab Medical Union. He is supported by pro-democracy Islamists and sections of the Muslim Brotherhood that are opposed to the Freedom and Justice, the Brotherhood's official party.
The debate covered a range of issues, including the rise of Islamist parties, which is seen with great trepidation by religious minorities and moderate Muslims, and relations with Israel, now in doubt following Egypt's decision to suspend gas sales to that country.
For Egyptians, the debate was an historic breakthrough after 30 years under Mubarak's National Democratic Party. Egyptians and Arab media compared the atmosphere like that of a football match with fans shouting support for their favourite candidates.
"This is the first time in the Egyptian and Arab history. We really are changing," said Ahmed Talaat, 36. "The uprising is really bearing fruit."
Two private TV channels carried the four-hour debate live. In order to stress the importance of the event, the show's producers broadcast excerpts from the 1960 US presidential debate between Nixon and Kennedy.
As analysts predicted, the two rivals traded jibes at each other about their respective past.
Moussa stressed the dangers of a president who comes from the ranks of radical islam and is pledged to defend the ideals of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Concerned about the Islamist shift in the country following parliamentary elections, he asked his opponent if he "plans to serve the interests of all Egyptians or just Islamists" who have already threatened to reduce women's rights, freedom of expression and impose a restrictive dress code.
A veteran of the fight against Egypt's rulers since Sadat's days, Fotouh stressed the ties between the former secretary general of the Arab League and the Mubarak regime. He accused Moussa of never criticised Egypt's former strongman, chastising him for his silence.
Both agree however that the 1979 accords with Israel are "dead and buried".
In the run-up to the presidential vote on 23-24 May, Egyptian media have announced more debates among the 13 candidates running for office.
The next one could see Mohamed Morsi, who is running for Freedom and Justice, Egypt's largest party, square off against Ahmed Shafiq, Mubarak's last prime minister, the third most popular presidential candidate.
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