Egypt: Presidential Campaign Begins

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, absolute ruler for 24 years, is only one of ten candidates for the presidency in the upcoming September 7 election. Of course, he is virtually certain to be re-elected, but he is hoping the presence of opposition candidates will help convince Egyptians and foreign observers that his country is taking at least small steps toward a more democratic politics.

The New York Times reports that the most serious challenges to Mubarak's National Democratic Party will likely be from the Wafd and the Ghad parties, but several other opposition groups are boycotting the campaign, calling the election a charade.