Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood sets constitution showdown for tomorrow

The Muslim Brotherhood announced that the country’s constituent assembly will hold an up or down vote then on a new draft constitution that has roiled Egyptian politics for months. If it passes a body that appears packed with Islamist politicians, most of those from the Brotherhood, the constitution will then be put to a national referendum. One caveat is that, in the coinage of political scientist Marc Lynch, Egyptian politics since Mubarak have resembled Calvinball, with rules and deadlines and statements shifting constantly.

Nevertheless President Mohamed Morsi, the Brotherhood politician who became the country’s first freely elected president last June, appears committed to his current course. He’s gambling the move will defuse an increasingly tense situation on the streets of Cairo. In the past week he’s boldly (or recklessly, depending on your point of view) moved to break the constitutional impasse