Former Audit Chief Hesham Badawy to Lead Egypt’s Parliament Through 2031

CAIRO - 12 January 2026: In a landmark session held at the New Administrative Capital, the Egyptian House of Representatives officially elected Hesham Badawy as Speaker for the 2026–2031 legislative term.

Badawy, the former head of the Central Auditing Organization (CAO), secured a landslide victory with 521 votes out of 570 valid ballots, comfortably defeating his challenger, Mahmoud Sami El-Imam of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party, who received 49 votes.

The session marked the commencement of the third legislative chapter and was presided over by MP Abla El-Hawary, the assembly's eldest member. In a scene reflecting a new era for the Egyptian parliament, three female MPs led the podium during the opening proceedings.

Badawy, who was among the members appointed by Presidential decree, took his constitutional oath earlier in the day before the floor opened for the speakership election.

"Neutrality and National Duty"

In his inaugural address as Speaker, Badawy described his election as a "heavy national trust" and a commitment to serving the Egyptian people.

"I pledge to manage the affairs of this council in a manner that ensures absolute neutrality and upholds parliamentary traditions," Badawy stated. He emphasized that the House must remain the cornerstone of legislative reform and a bridge to realizing the aspirations of the "New Republic" under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

A Career Rooted in Justice and Oversight

Counselor Badawy brings decades of legal and oversight experience to the podium:

 * Judicial Roots: He began his career in the Public Prosecution in 1981, eventually serving as the Chief of the Supreme State Security Prosecution.

 * Anti-Corruption Leadership: He previously served as Assistant Minister of Justice for Anti-Corruption.

 * National Oversight: His most recent high-profile role was as President of the Central Auditing Organization (CAO), where he oversaw state spending and fiscal transparency.

 * International Presence: Badawy has held several international auditing chairs, including presiding over the African Union Board of External Auditors and the COMESA Board of Auditors.

Setting the Agenda

Immediately following his election, Badawy moved to organize the House's internal structure, urging members to submit their preferences for specialized committee memberships within two hours of the session's end.

The Speaker also oversaw the nomination of five members for the two deputy speaker positions, including former Housing Minister Assem El-Gazzar and Dr. Mohamed El-Wahsh. Before adjourning, the House sent a cable of support to President El-Sisi, reaffirming the legislature's alignment with the state’s domestic and foreign policy goals.