This EuroMeSCo research paper starts from the premise that the recent electoral victories achieved by the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and Hamas in Palestine – which, respectively, propelled the Brotherhood to become the primary opposition force to the unshakeable PND, and the Islamist movement to assert its leadership of the Palestinian Authority government – constitute an important evolution in the politico-ideological positioning of these two movements.

The paper aims to analyse these key changes, in light of the historical context of the movements’ formation, the evolution of their ideological agenda, and the conditions of their entry into the political game. By highlighting the similarities and differences between these two movements, the paper considers to what extent their decision to participate in the democratic process, by presenting candidates for the legislative elections after having for so long refused to recognize Western democratic principles, reveals the pragmatism and opportunism they use to their advantage.