There was great hope for Egypt’s democracy after the Arab Spring toppled longtime President Hosni Mubarak from power.

The jury is still out on the nature of the new government.

Last Thursday, Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi swore in his new Cabinet, which is led by a devout Muslim and five members of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Critics have complained that the administration is not nearly as inclusive as Mr. Morsi promised. There are no representatives of the uprising that dislodged Mr. Mubarak from power. Christians and women have only “token representation,” USA Today pointed out.

But the military-backed government is well represented: seven kept their positions, including the foreign, finance and culture ministers.

Mr. Mubarak’s defense minister of two decades, Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, has his old job. He served as Egypt’s military ruler for 17 months in the post-Mubarak transition.

Prime Minister Hesham Kandil declared prior to the swearing-in: “This is the people’s government. It does not belong to this or that trend.”

Let’s hope that is true. Time will tell.

Many Egyptians risked much for democratic reforms and a freer society. May their dreams be realized.

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