Speaker swears president did not influence constitutional amendments

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Thu, 28 Mar 2019 - 03:24 GMT

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Thu, 28 Mar 2019 - 03:24 GMT

Parliament Speaker Ali Abdel Aal during the societal dialogue session on Wednesday - Egypt Today/Khaled Mashaal

Parliament Speaker Ali Abdel Aal during the societal dialogue session on Wednesday - Egypt Today/Khaled Mashaal

CAIRO - 28 March 2019: Parliament Speaker Ali Abdel Aal swore, during the societal dialogue session, that the Egyptian presidency did not interfere by any means in the issue of amending some articles of the 2014 constitution.

If the current amendments are approved, presidential terms in general will be expanded to six years instead of four for each of the two terms, while the incumbent president will be allowed to run for a third exceptional term.

The societal dialogue sessions are concerned with listening to politicians, political parties, public figures, the civil society, businessmen, and financial and economic institutions.

The 10-member committee, which was concerned with writing the current constitution, thought at the time that four years is a short period for a presidential term. However, the committee approved it due to the past state of emergency and the war against the Muslim Brotherhood group, Abdel Aal said.

The amendment concerning extending the presidential term is not more than a proposal, Abdel Aal said, affirming that this dialogue around the amendments is serious and not for show. He added that all categories of representatives were given the opportunity to express themselves, including judges, constitutional law and other professors, Al-Azhar and the Church's representatives, and the heads of parties.



Even those who object to the amendments think that four years are a short period of time, he said, adding that according to his experience as a professor of law, and an author of legal books, presidential terms must have a limit.

"The amendments did not address a certain person, not even the current president," he stated.

Amending the constitution is considered the most important duty that the Parliament must be concerned with, Abdel Aal said, adding that such duty falls under his personal responsibility and the responsibility of others.

The proposed constitutional amendments include increasing representation in the Parliament, supporting the political life, and achieving balance between the Egyptian communities.

The amendments also address reforming the regime, achieving balance between the parliamentary and presidential models, making some reforms to the judiciary system, and establishing a second chamber for the Parliament, which is the Shura Council.

Abdel Aal stated that the proposed constitutional amendments will not include articles pertaining to rights and freedoms during the third societal dialogue on Tuesday.

Abdel Aal said that some articles of the constitution are no longer suitable for the current conditions the country is going through. "We are still within a transitional phase and the region is witnessing ongoing incidents," he said.

"I am speaking to you today as one of the makers of the current constitution 2014 and the discussion is open for anyone without any limits," he added.

The constitutional amendments are necessary but at the same time "we are well aware that no absolute consensus can be reached," he stressed.

Thursday societal session

Abdel Aal criticized some of the political powers and public figures, who allegedly intend to organize a demonstration before the House of Representatives headquarters, to voice rejection of the new constitutional amendments. Abdel Aal said that he did not prevent anyone from attending the sessions, through which they can express themselves.

The parliament speaker denied "rumors" claiming that the National Elections Authority (NEA) set a specific date for a referendum on the amendments, adding that even the Parliament does not know when the discussions and vote inside the Parliament will end.

What to know about Egypt's constitutional amendment process

CAIRO - 6 February 2019: The process to amend the constitution involves the House of Representatives, and the people who is expected to participate ...

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