Presidential succession is a sensitive subject in Egypt. Several journalists were arrested and put on trial in August for printing rumours claiming President Hosni Mubarak was seriously ill. The rumours were unfounded, but the underlying debate over who will replace the 79-year-old remains a hot topic. Most Egyptians are resigning themselves to the fact that when the current presidency comes to an end, it will be Gamal Mubarak, the president’s son, who will take the reins.