Survival, Triumph and Fall: The Political Transformation of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt

Post-Mubarak Egypt brought the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) movement to power after decades of being in opposition and facing repression. Through its political wing, the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), the MB controlled the newly elected Egyptian parliament before the Supreme Constitutional Court dissolved it in June 2012. One of its leaders, Muhammad Morsi, was elected President in Egypt’s first competitive elections on 24 June 2012 and the MB dominated the drafting of a new constitution that was approved in a referendum on 30 November 2012. Behind these political successes was a strong and experienced movement with an extensive organizational infrastructure and long-term strategic vision that received support from a broad social base on matters that went deeper than simply religion.