Egypt’s tourism industry is in the spotlight in the country’s first freely contested presidential elections.
A conservative muslim who has pledged to implement Islamic law appears to be the frontrunner in winning the election.
Muslin Brotherhood candidate Mohamed Morsi polled about a quarter of the votes in the first round of the presidential elections last week.
His main opponent Ahmed Shafiq served as the ousted prescient Hosni Mubarak’s last prime minister.
Morsi is reportedly offering a deal to form a united front with defeated opponents in the second round of voting next month, raising concerns of Islamist domination in Egypt’s parliament.
The Brotherhood has been unclear about the specific impact that Islamic law would have on alcohol consumption or the freedom to wear a bikini on the beach, saying only that it would protect Egypt’s tourism industry, the Sunday Times reported.
About 50 million people were eligible to vote in the polls, in which 13 candidates were vying for the presidency.
The military body that assumed presidential power in February 2011 – the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces – has promised a fair vote and civilian rule.
Until a new constitution is approved, it is unclear what powers the president will have, prompting fears of friction with a military which seems determined to retain its powerful position.
Many Egyptians have grown frustrated with the pace of change in their country following the revolution, as the economy languishes, public services break down and crime levels rise.