Parliament's general committee approves constitution's draft amendments

CAIRO - 5 February 2019: Egyptian Parliament's General Committee approved on Tuesday the proposal put forward by one fifth of all parliamentarians. Two thirds of the committee's members voted in favor of the proposal to be further discussed.

The statement released by the House of Representatives indicated the main principles that the draft amendments aim to accomplish and classified them into seven sections.

Inclusive Political Representation

Support the representation of women in parliamentary chambers.

Support the representation of farmers and blue-collar labor in parliamentary chambers.

Support the representation of youths, Christians, expats, and the disabled in parliamentary chambers.

Political System Reform

The possibility to appoint one or more vice-presidents.

Amendment of the presidential term to become six instead of four, and formulation of required transitional rules.

The Judicial Authority

The articulation of a unified mechanism to appoint the chairpersons of judicial institutions, the Public Prosecutor, and the chief of the Supreme Constitutional Court.

The establishment of a supreme council for judicial joint affairs.

The Mission of the Armed Forces

The redefinition and solidification of the role of the Armed Forces.

The appointment of the Defense Minister must be first approved by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF).

Legal protection of key state institutions, and public facilities.

Electoral System Reform

The omission of the sentence on equivalent representation of voters as it incurred a conflict in practice, while abiding by the ruling of the Supreme Constitutional Court on the matter.

Foundation of the Senate

The introduction of articles that regulate the minimum number of members, candidacy requirements, its mission, and the ban of joint membership in both chambers of the parliament.

Press and Media Management

The omission of articles 212 and 213 on the National Media Authority, and the National Press Authority.