The tricky tide of democracy

Today's New York Times (online):

CAIRO, Feb. 13 — President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt has moved to postpone by two years elections for thousands of local government positions initially scheduled for April, turning away from a promise made during his recent presidential race to promote democratic practices, Egyptian political analysts and political leaders said today.

The move was widely seen in Egypt as an effort to preserve the governing National Democratic Party's monopoly on power at a time when its grip has begun to falter. It also was seen as an effort to block the banned Muslim Brotherhood, which made unprecedented gains in recent parliamentary elections, from promoting an independent candidate for president in 2011.

The Muslim Brotherhood is a dangerous political force in the Middle East, but this may only embolden the organization and improve their standing in Egypt.