The Uncharted Trajectory of Egypt’s Parliamentary Elections

         Mahmoud Gamal al-Sharawy, a young Egyptian who has recently graduated from Al-Azhar University in Cairo, dreams of just living a decent life in a stable country where he feels safe and secure. He dreams of a safer future for himself and his offspring. Battered by four years of bloody turmoil, Sharawy's Egypt is suffering from instability, insecurity, and lack of accountability. Sharawy is hopeful that his country's transition comes to a close by holding the parliamentary elections that represent the last phase of a roadmap adopted after the Military's ouster of Egypt's first freely elected president Mohamed Morsi in mid-summer 2013. Yet, he is deeply concerned that no end for the transition is near in sight since "the proper environment for holding the elections in non-existent in Egypt right now."

"The authorities are dominating everything including the media, and that doesn't allow a room for the opposition to express their views, so the atmosphere is not allowing the elections to be held or democracy to proceed," said Sharawy, a 23-year-old fresh graduate. "There is lack of trust and I can say we are heading in the wrong direction."

In a factsheet on the website of the Embassy of Egypt in Washington, D.C., it affirms that "Egypt continues on its path toward accountable, representative governance that meets the demands of the Egyptian people. Later this year [2014], Egyptians will elect Parliamentary representatives and seat a legislative body for the first time in two years." And according to Article 230 of the 2014 Constitution, the parliamentary elections should have been held "within a period not exceeding six months of the date the Constitution goes into effect." However, it is already 2015 and parliament is not yet in session. Up until February 28, 2015, Egyptians were supposed to head to the polls on March 22, 2015. However, the elections were postponed on March 1, 2015 when Egypt's Supreme Court ruled the Constituencies' law unconstitutional. Turning things upside-down, the verdict came in a very hectic time when the transitional period seems endless, Egyptians are polarized, and the country is fighting terrorism in the restive Sinai area and in the neighboring Libya. "The elections are a way for al-Sisi government to show a democratic transition," said Tarek Radwan, associate director for research at the Atlantic Council.

The long-awaited elections can give rise to more stability and mitigate the polarization that is taking serious roots among Egyptians. "The importance of the elections is more for domestic, a return to normalcy in domestic concerns rather than any kind of international agendas. So the parliamentary elections are really only secondary," added Radwan while sipping his Starbucks coffee in his glassy, open office that overlooks L street. "I think it will give the Egyptians a sense of a return to stability, particularly those Egyptians who are tired of transitional process, who just want a return to normality." he added while sitting is his rotating leather office chair.

People in Egypt and abroad are still doubtful, thinking that the election is a mere step in a list-checking process.  Amy Hawthorne, a resident senior fellow at Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, echoed this concern. "It is a little bit unclear what the role of this Parliament will be in this new era of President Sisi. It is not clear. Will it be checking balance of the executive branch? I'm not sure!"

Egypt's House of Representatives is an essential component of the structure of the state. According to the country's Constitution, the parliament is entrusted with the legislative authority, approving state policy, social development and economic plans, and the state budget. It will also exercise oversight over the executive branch. It can also withdraw confidence from the President, the Prime Minister, a deputy of the Prime Minister, ministers, or their deputies. However, these powers seem quite far-fetched. "Even though they will have the power, I don't think they will not have that kind of independence.  Again because you are looking at a portion of the Egyptian polity that is already in agreement with the situation in Egypt, so you already have people who are willing to engage in a system that has been defined for them," said Radwan in a harsh tome which is a natural reaction to his dismay.

Furthermore, the long-delayed elections will feature the comeback of many Mubarak-era figure who rigged the 2010 parliamentary elections; a fraudulent process that sparked the 2011 popular uprising. Some people are afraid to see the 2010 scenario again. "I think there is at least a degree of accountability that people want to know that their voice matter which is a change from Mubarak era. It won't be as easy to rig the elections this time around," Radwan assured.

Several Egyptian parties decided to boycott the elections in a bid to pressurize the current regime to make reforms and fulfill their legitimate demands of releasing detainees and amending the notorious protest law. Hawthorne, however, ascribed boycotting to repression and lack of freedom. "The situation [in Egypt] is quite repressive so there is not quite a lot of political space or room for people with different views to express those views and mobilize people around those ideas." she put it bluntly staring her piercing, evenly-spaced eyes.

"We have seen in the past that boycotting has essentially failed," Radwan put it clearly putting his hand on his cheek. "The end result is those willing to go along with the political system in Egypt are the ones who essentially win out. The revolutionary contingent will not make any gain by boycotting. The boycott is intended to delegitimize the process but the process has already been accepted by the majority of Egyptians. So those who choose to boycott now will not be changing the minds of anyone but will only be weighing the parliament in favor of those who favor al-Sisi regime."

Since boycotting always comes to no avail in Egypt, participation could make the opposition part of the decision-making process and allow them to give a voice for the voiceless. "In my opinion, I think they do have to participate, they do have to compete for seats in order to have a voice in government and in order to challenge President Sisi's political line," asserted Radwan sitting cross-legged.

The regime also banned the Muslim Brotherhood, the country's largest and most-organized political fraction, and went as far as considering them a terrorist group. As such, they are excluded from the whole electoral process. This measure per se could undermine the countries stability. "Anytime that you exclude what people believe to be a large and prestigious organization, there are going to be efforts to undermine the legitimacy of the process," said Dr. Steven A. Cook, 46, a senior fellow and Middle east expert at Council on Foreign Relations.

Similarly, Hawthorne echoed the same thought. "When you have a significant social and political force that has a wide representation that is not represented inside the political system, just in general in any country, that can be destabilizing. That's something that can make the situation unstable and lead to radicalization. So from that perspective, I think the exclusion of the Muslim Brotherhood, in the long term, won't be a good factor for Egypt but I also know that some Egyptians don't want them, she said while her hand combing the highlights of her blonde hair that encircles her reddish face,

Both boycotting the election and the exclusion of some social and political fractions will bring about a non-inclusive parliament siding with the regime. "We will see a parliament that will have a lot of individuals who are really representative of their own interested  and not a larger political interest and will have some forces who will very supportive of President Sisi and other who are not as vocally supportive of President Sisi but won't be that critics," said Hawthorne.

The regime still can make some reforms encouraging these parties to reconsider their stances. "There won't be really any opposition in this new parliament unless there are confidence-building measures that will lead some of these other parties to take part, and so far they say they are not going to take part," she added.

Some international organizations like Carter Center and European Union announced they will not monitor Egypt's elections, for the political atmosphere is not conducive to fruitful work. "The decision to not monitor or send only a technical team shows a displeasure or lack of trust in a closed political system right now. I think it is a strong message for the Egyptian government but I don't think it will affect the legitimacy of the Egyptian parliament," Radwan pinpointed.

For his part, the middle-aged Radwan also urges the international community to step in and observe the elections because "lack of monitoring makes the Egyptian government feel that they can conduct the elections how they see fit."

Hawthorne, who worked previously for US department of State, also touched upon the fact that "the United States would like the elections to take place … in an atmosphere of freedom and with diverse participation of different Egyptian political forces. So if there is an election process that has a good representation of different Egyptian political forces and is transparent and credible process. But I don't think the US will welcome the elections because an election is being held."

On March 18, 2015, yet another verdict was issued by a judge and a plethora of counselors sitting to his sides in a gloomy courtroom filled with politicians, journalists and photographers as well as ushers escorting them to and from the court yard. The verdict stipulates that the electoral procedures must start from scratch, delaying the elections even further and casting a doubt on the regime's intention to really hold the elections.

However, Cook thinks otherwise. He thinks the elections will eventually be held but he doesn't detail when. "I think President Sisi absolutely wants to hold the elections. I think the Egyptian elite want to hold the elections," he said. "They want to turn to Egyptians first and to the international community saying that we have set up a roadmap; we have crossed every T and dotted every I. Otherwise, they will be in problem," he went on to explain his point of view.

Despite all these odds that stand as stumbling blocks on Egypt's path toward democracy, Sharawy, like many others, hopes the elections be held sooner rather than later. "The elections are the light at the end of the tunnel and I hope Egypt can reach that end sometime soon."

Beyond Experiential Learning

The internship is not all about learning or training; it can go far beyond that to touch us personally. Sometimes we do relate to the mission of the institution we are working for. At other times, we tend to make some comparisons or link our work to the real life and even notice things that can affect us personally.

 Actually, interning at an organization the size of the eldercare Workforce Alliance is a once-in-a-lifetime chance, to say the least. One aspect that touched me personally is the mission of the alliance and the 30 organizations it encompasses. In the United States, it is know that Baby Boomers are turning 65 soon. As such, a well-trained, highly qualified workforce is needed to provide the necessary care to those soon-to-be older adults, and herein the alliance step to take the necessary actions. Apparently, this is a farsighted vision to solve a problem that will loom in the horizon soon. It is better to be ready to sort out an issue before its very occurrence that to wait till it takes place. This technique allows no room for band-aids or quick fixes that exacerbate the problem rather than solve it.

                Interestingly enough, I have been working there for about a month and I realized that the first and foremost trait that can bring about success at work is interpersonal communication. Exquisite communication skills give rise to having connections and acquaintances. As a matter of fact, connections are rather salient, can open many locked doors and a good way for job referrals. In the current job market, who you know is very much important than what you know, or so I think.  Sometimes they can substitute a resume if you are going to work with them or for the institutions they are employed in. They can be references in the resume too.

Additionally, I have learnt a great deal about the health system and Obamacare in the Unites States, which is utterly different from the subsidized decrepit health system in my home country, Egypt. Seniors here receive decent end-of-life care and treatment and have some organizations to let their voices heard. Apparently, it seems we in Egypt are very lagged behind and have a long way to go to come to par with such advanced countries as the United States.

Moreover, I realized during my job search that the location of the internship was one of the determining factors that encouraged me to apply for some internship opportunities of my interest. Commuting is sometimes time-consuming. I just do not want to waste my time, money and efforts to commute to and from the internship workplace. That does not necessarily mean that I am a couch potato or afraid to get out of my shell to explore the world around me.

To sum up, the internship added a lot to my character, mentality and skill set. I am sure it will shape my career path and will definitely have substantial repercussions on me later on in my life.

To Intern is to Learn

The internship is an experiential learning experience and a preparation for the real world. Accordingly, to intern is to learn and gain further skills. To put it differently, my experiential work is meant to hone my skills and allow me to utilize the arsenal of skills I already have. This will make me well prepared for the real world. Personally, I can tell that my internship at the Eldercare Workforce Alliance is a fabulous resource for learning. Thus far, I have learnt how to use Hootsuite, MS Publisher and Google search techniques. I do partake in developing the monthly newsletter and managing the social media outlets for the organization. The workplace is very dynamic and fast-paced, and my manager is literally a workaholic. Although my manager is very lenient and supportive, she expects me to do a lot of tasks in short spans of time. I greatly appreciate her crystal clear instructions and detailed feedback.

My daily work duties do include searching for germane health articles and aging-related news stories. This makes me pay due heed to details, not to mention the fact that it enables me to have up-to-date exposure to the health news from multiple of sources. Sometimes I tend to read other news stories that interest me. Being in a position that is meant to spread the word about the work and events of all organizations affiliated to the alliance, I do keep an eye on all social media as well as the website of these organizations. Additionally, drafting and editing press releases and brief issues is an integral part of my job. My journalism expertise has proved to be a great asset for me in this regard.

At another level, the monthly collaborative conference calls are very salient and added a lot to my skill set. These calls bring together the staff of most, if not all, employees of such organizations to keep them updated about the new policies, let them share all the events or information with other employees and listen to their suggestions and feedback about our work. For the most part, this is an evaluation of the work I am doing and of the team I am a member in.

The best part of my internship is attending some hearings at the US Senate every now and then, let alone meeting senators' key staff and being in direct contact with them. This is a great way for networking and advocacy.  Furthermore, the alliance will host a conference on the 30^th of October that will be attended by some senators and people of higher ranks in the Washington, DC area. As a policy and communications intern, I work closely with other team members to plan for this briefing and to do all what it takes to make it a big success.

In brief, it is quite safe to say that the internship is a miniature version of a real world job. As such, having an internship that is learning-oriented and skills-focused can lend itself to the success of one's future career. 

My Workplace: An Outfit That Does Fit

Hard work always pays off, and exerting strenuous efforts always bears fruits. Given the considerable efforts I put into my internship search, I was lucky enough to find an amazing internship even sooner than I expected. My internship search could not have been any easier or faster. Currently, I am interning at the Eldercare Workforce Alliance in Washington, DC and the people there are very professional, helpful and amazing.

At the beginning, I was concerned about the nature of the internship and it may not be interesting or related to what I am studying. Yet, my professor advised me that there will be a lot of thing you can gain out of it. He always says, "The internship is what you make out of it." On the first day at the internship workplace, I was really delighted that the internship does relate to my studies and we will attend some hearings and be involved in politics in some way. Hopefully, they granted me a meager travel stipend, made me business cards, provided me with a separate office and bought a laptop in order for me to incur the burden of bringing mine. However, they are very serious and even gave me tasks to do from day one. I thought the first day is only a chance to meet and greet.

On the second day, we went for lunch together and showed me the whole place so that I can move around easily. They also asked me to have an internship that will have my name on, namely something that I can take for my potential employer. They are very cognizant of the fact that my studies take precedence over my internship and reiterated that several times. I also got to know staff members from the other organizations located in the same premises. In a nutshell, my internship has been a real success so far and every week I learn something new.

However, this success could not have been materialized without the receptive nature of people on campus. My academic advisor assisted me immensely especially in sorting out any issues as they arise. Actually, she spared no efforts to help me issue a work authorization and fill out the Experiential Learning Form (ELF). As for my professor, he was really helpful and patient with me. He was, and still is, in close touch to make sure I am on the right track in my internship search. The weekly meetings helped me catch up all what I have missed during the first two weeks of the semester. I am extremely appreciative of his valuable insights and feedback. My class mates are awesome and they are very supportive and friendly. When we share our experiences in class, I really get to know a lot of things and venues where I can intern for next spring semester.

Now I feel I am in a better position to find a good internship for my spring semester since I have the tools, documents and capabilities to embark on my early search for an internship in November. In short, I am well-equipped not only to secure an internship but to hunt a job as well.

The Internship Search Journey: Mission Accomplished

Finding a suitable internship is a task of gargantuan proportions. However, owning to being in Washington, DC, I was sure that I can find a very interesting internship in a very short span of time. Thanks to the existence of several international organizations here in DC, my internship search couldn't have been any easier.

Honestly, I cannot deny the fact that my late arrival preoccupied me for a quite while but when I finally made it safe and sound to the US, the land of opportunities, I had so much on my plate; a myriad of belated assignment, an internship to secure and a new lieu to adapt to. Hopefully, my first week on campus couldn’t have been any better. Thanks to the awesome people who are friendly in nature, I was able to adjust and tour the city, find an internship and feel at home in no time. Surprisingly, I did not suffer from a jet lag or feel alienated in Washington DC. My professors were very patient and helpful. My search for the internship honed my skills and was a great way for me to get out of my comfort zone and go out to see the world.

Anyhow, the day I stepped a foot on the soil of the United States, I knew that there are some challenges await me. Yet the internships interviews were on the top of my agenda. In a matter of days, I went through many interviews and realized that the questions are almost the same. However, I learnt some lessons and got to know the city. In the US, to be on time is to be late, but in Egypt, it is always better late than nothing. The only interview I missed was due to latency. The internship was in Friendship Heights at 1:30 PM and unfortunately I could not make it on time and I found the office closed. I tried to schedule another appointment but the vacancy has been filled for some reason. Anyhow, I have learnt a lesson. Since then, I am doing my utmost to be always on time.

On the other hand, I also was accepted at the Commercial and Economic Office at the Egyptian Embassy here in Washington DC. All the staff there are super friendly and reassured me that I will not do that much work and the tasks are easy to handle. We even conducted the interview in Arabic, my mother tongue, and I also felt the business sector has little to do with what I am studying in the Washington Semester Program. It is worth mentioning that the interview process allowed me to know some people there. I am still in contact with them up to the moment. However, I wanted my internship to be a challenge conducive to hands-on experiences and substantial skills. I was also interested to intermingle with American people and experience a new diverse culture that is totally different from my own.

In short, I did all what it takes to search for an internship, making optimal use of all resources available. I used social media, the AU Internship Web and other website such as indeed.com and idealist.org. I read some job hunting books and used the book entitled "How to write Anything." to write my resume and cover letter. In a matter of days, I landed an amazing internship in DC area that is not that far from where I live and now I love it to the full.

Internship Search from Afar

Due to some visa processing issues, I had to arrive late and literally miss the first three weeks of the fall semester. With that being said, I had to secure an internship either when I was in Egypt or once I made it safe and sound to Washington, DC. Hence, I started working on my resume and cover letter. Read some career development books on job hunting and how to write the resume and the cover letter. In no time, I wrote my resume and cover letter and did my utmost to tailor them for every internship vacancy I am applying for. I attended a virtual information session when I was in Egypt in which they stressed out the importance of conducting an early search for an internship. They elaborated on how to search and provided me with three valuable resources, namely indeed.com, Idealist.org and the AU Internship Web. At the time, my account on the Internship Web was not activated so I had to rely mainly on the other two and they worked miracles.

To get the ball rolling, I applied to some openings of my choice that I felt pertinent to my field of study and of great interest to me. Some of these places contacted me shortly after that, and we arranged a time to have an overseas phone interview. Interestingly enough, they did not mind the idea that I am an international student who is still in his home country. To put it differently, don't ever think that being an international student is a downside. Actually, it could be a merit since many of these organizations are either multi-national or international. You need also to bear in mind that the internship is no more than an experiential training. You will also find someone who gives you feedback and explains things clearly to you as I will elaborate on later in my blog.

Before the interview, I made sure to read through the internship posting, my resume and cover letter. As the saying goes, "If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail," I can tell that reparation is salient, very salient indeed. Most, if not all, the interview questions revolved around my resume with special focus on my educational background, work experience and the extracurricular activities. Hopefully, I went through two interviews and arranged some face-to-face interviews with some other institutions and organizations. They were more than happy to wait till I arrive to Washington, DC.

At the time, I could not have access to some resources such as the career services, the Internship Bazaar and job fairs, just to name a few. I know that every university has a career center and the American University is no different. The career center at AU helps the students step by step with their resume, cover letter, interview and even tips for succeeding at the job in question. Additionally, they held many recruitment events, one-on-one meetings and information sessions to help student land an internship. The only thing I could do at the time was to read through the multiple resources and information on the AU Career Web.

One of the most important events that I missed was the Internship Bazaar held on August 25^th, namely more than 15 days before my arrival. I am sure it was a great opportunity to meet several employers face to face, to get exposure to different internship places, and to build long-term rapport with them.

Anyhow, I have learnt that I should never give up at all. I just need to do my part and God the Almighty will take care of the rest.

A Semester to Remember

Washington, DC has a lot to offer since it is the emblem of diversity and the home for a myriad of national, multinational and international institutions from all over the whole world. Thus the Washington Semester Program at the American university is a great turning point in my life. Actually, it is the best thing happened to me in my entire life. Unlike other traditional courses, the Washington Semester Program encompasses a seminar track, an internship and an elective research class. Accordingly, I am determined to make optimal use of every single moment of my time is Washington, DC.  Honestly, I want it to be the semester of my life. Hereunder I will write posts about my experience in searching for an internship and the skills I gained and developed as a result.

Personally, I firmly believe that theoretical study is not enough, and the practical training is of great significance. With that being said, the internship is literally my favorite part since it is a practical study conducive to hands-on experience and marketable skills, or so I think. What I like about having a good relevant internship is the idea that it is enables me to put all what I have learnt in class into practice and to know how the work milieu in the United States looks like. This will avail me immensely in my academic studies as well as in my future career. It will give me a golden opportunity to try out some jobs until I ultimately settle for my ideal career. Before my arrival, I was really excited to indulge actively in the American fast-paced workplace and wanted to have a motivating internship that is not only relevant to my major but will enhance my future career as well. It is, therefore, a good way for networking with professionals and politicians from all over the world. As such, the internship per se is a resume builder and a vehicle for a well-paying career.

Communications and journalism combined with political science have always been my cup of tea for as long as I can remember.  Accordingly, I chose the 'peace and conflict resolution in the Middle East and beyond' track in the first semester and the journalism track for the spring semester. My overriding concern back then was to secure an appropriate internship at the earliest opportunity, and this is what triggered me to embark on the internship search journey right away. In the following posts, I will shed some light on the ups and downs of my internship search journey. So stay tuned.