The Constituent Assembly assigned with the drafting of the post-revolution constitution is facing today what may be termed a ‘battle of willpower' produced by an unbalanced composition of its members. The assembly, the second formed in the course of a few months, has been experiencing a tug-of-war between Islamist members who wish to impose their fundamentalist thought on the phrasing of constitutional articles and liberal-minded members who see the constitution as expressive of political and cultural diversity of society. Although a number of non-Islamist members preferred to withdraw at an early stage they have not been substituted, despite president Morsi' promise to restore the equilibrium that has been lost. Disputes have reached of late a crossroads where the insistence of representatives of the Salafi trend on certain points is likely to lead to a collective withdrawal of members pertaining to civil forces. Last week the pitch within the assembly got higher over disagreement on certain articles related to women rights, discrimination, freedom of the press, civil society activities and a targeted balance among the executive, legislative and judiciary authorities. The entangled situation has prompted symbols of the civil powers that were in the first place excluded from the assembly, like Mohamed ElBaradei, Amr Moussa and Hamdeen Sabahi, to find a way out. Three options have been put forth for discussion: changing the structure of the assembly to undo an Islamist dominance, amending the articles that arouse societal fears or applying pressure by collective withdrawal of civil powers. The Constitution, on which from day one the assembly meetings have been at loggerheads, is supposed to be accomplished shortly. The forthcoming days are therefore decisive in determining the outcome of the division between the two parties. Arguments of the kind might not be of much concern to people in the street who have an eye on the improvement of their daily life. But the shape of this state is apt to crystallise by means of the Constitution for which reason, civil forces have a battle to win.
