What has happened to Egypt’s democratisation? After a few minor concessions, the regime is once again closing any real space in the political arena to the opposition, whose only voice today seems that of bloggers. The price of essential food has risen by 60%, a blow to 40% of the population obliged to survive on less than one dollar a day. Further damage to the country’s image came when the Foreign Minister triumphantly announced in New York the release of the eleven tourists kidnapped in the desert, who instead were held hostage for another week. Would change not be good for such a country?