Civil coup

Mohamed Mursi is going for real power at last. The newly-elected Egyptian Islamist president has fired the country’s long-standing defence minister and the army chief of staff in a move that affirms his power over the military, which had seemed intent on keeping a tight lid on the country’s government. Mursi also quashed a military order that had limited his powers, taking over legislative powers temporarily. His decisions will contribute to lift Egypt out of its political deadlock and economic morass. But his powers now need to be promptly counterbalanced by a legitimate parliament and a new constitution.

Mursi jumped on the opportunity to act after the army suffered humiliating attacks in the Sinai region a week ago. But the military’s stated consent to the moves, and the president’s apparent willingness to keep them on his side —albeit in a clearly subordinated role — should help the transition to a full civilian regime.

At the very least, and without waiting for the necessary constitutional changes, this gives Egypt’s recently-appointed cabinet the freedom to tend to urgent economic matters. Egypt was pledged a further $2 billion of aid from Qatar at the weekend, but the country also needs a deal with the International Monetary Fund to win back foreign investors and help fund job creation. That will be easier now that the government, and not the army, has the final say over spending.

A deal between the Islamist president and the army might have been struck in order for the generals to retire without a showdown. Hussein Tantawi’s appointment as presidential adviser probably means he will avoid any prosecution for his past deeds. In that context, it is hard to imagine the government will mount a serious effort to install transparency around the army’s opaque finances.

The Muslim Brotherhood now doesn’t have anyone to keep it in check, a reasonable cause for worry. Mursi’s move could be challenged in court. But Egypt’s situation is at least clearer. It is now up to Mursi and the Brotherhood to show political opponents and the rest of the world that his surprise grab for power was for the greater good.