Egypt's National Dialogue's sessions discussing food security, private investment kick off

CAIRO – 9 August 2023: Two sessions within the National Dialogue's economic axis discussions kicked off in tandem Wednesday. One is on agriculture and food security. And, the other is on private investment.

Earlier, a political-axis session took place making room for talks on municipalities. In that context, a closed session that took place Monday to phrase proposals and recommendations pertaining to the electoral system of municipal councils, and that were put forward by participants earlier in public discussions.

In a similar context, General Coordinator of the National Dialogue Diaa Rashwan stated Sunday that the Recommendations and Proposals Committee is finalizing the phrasing of the three proposals pertaining to the electoral system so they would be submitted to the president of the republic.

One of the proposals is keeping the current system allowing the election of half the members of both chambers through closed lists that divide the country into four districts. Another is amending the system so that all members would be elected through open lists dividing the country into 15 districts.

The third is amending the system so that 25 percent of members would be elected through closed lists, and 25 percent others would be elected through open lists.

Rashwan pointed out that the committee is also finalizing the phrasing of the proposals on establishing an anti-discrimination commission, amending custodianship laws and cooperatives laws.