Islamist candidate Mohammed Morsi declared victory and Egyptian news organizations projected him as the winner in Egypt's first competitive presidential race on Monday, according to the Associated Press.
However, the victory might only be a symbolic one, as the ruling military council issued an interim constitution earlier in the day, essentially eliminating the president’s authority. In addition, the council’s new charter gives them control over all laws, the national budget and immunity from oversight, according to The New York Times.
Concerns were first raised over the council’s actions last week when it dissolved Parliament, which had been led by the Muslim Brotherhood. The generals also took control of writing a permanent constitution.
The Brotherhood released results that showed Morsi took nearly 52 percent of the vote over former President Hosni Mubarak's last Prime Minister, Ahmed Shafiq.
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