Egypt: Politics, Land Sales, and Corruption (Iskander)

Membership in the ruling National Democratic Party brings business benefits and virtual immunity from punishment. The NDP has allowed this cronyism to prevail among some of Egypt’s top business figures, as the government focuses on implementing its privatisation agenda at any cost. While investigations, trials, and even convictions are allowed to go ahead to give the appearance of action by the state, these rarely achieve permanent results. This indicates why, despite the court issuing its “final” ruling in the case of the sale of land to TMG, the company announced on Wednesday that it will appeal the decision again.

Yet, if the NDP has been able to absorb these corruption scandals so far, its ability to do so is becoming impeded by uncertainties over the potential transition of power from President Mubarak to his son Gamal and the rising level of general discontent on the Egyptian street. Could the Mustafa case be the case that sets a new direction in Egyptian law and politics?

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