CAIRO – 29 March 2019: Parliament members, politicians, experts, representatives of financial institutions and chambers of commerce took part at the fourth social dialogue organized by the Parliament to discuss the proposed amendments of the Egyptian constitution.
“In this session, I am happy to welcome heads of political parties who answered the call of the Parliament, and it is also a great pleasure to welcome members of the the Coordination Committee of Parties' Youth Leaders and Politicians, headed by MP Tariq al-Khouli,” Parliament Speaker Ali Abdel Aal said.
Parliament Speaker Ali Abdel Aal with members of the Coordination Committee of Parties' Youth Leaders and Politicians
“The youth are half the present and all the future and everything that happens inside the Parliament runs for the sake and interest of the youths and our beloved country,” Abdel Aal added.
Essam Khalil, head of the Free Egyptians Party, said his party was amongst the first parties that announced agreement to the constitutional amendments because of their importance at this current stage.
While Deputy Head of the New Wafd Party, Yasser Al-Hudaibi, proposed that the amendment regarding the presidential term should be replaced with a an article the stipulates only six years for the president that begins from the day following the expiry of his predecessor’s term, and can be re-elected for one consecutive period.
Parliament member and nephew of assassinated Egyptian president Anwar Sadat, Esmat El-Sadat, who took part at the session, said that societal dialogue sessions are a national obligation for the sake of history and responsibility towards Egyptians.
According to Sadat, a law professor said the Parliament is not obliged to hold hearing sessions regarding the constitutional amendments, nevertheless, he expressed keenness to participate and respond to the call due to the importance of civil dialogue.
“Mechanisms of amending the constitution according to article no. 126 is safe and sound, the amendments have been and still going according to the law,” Sadat added.
He further expressed hope that the scoop of dialogue would widen to reach citizens who will go to the referendum to craft their votes.
Abdel Aal swore, during the previous societal dialogue session, that the Egyptian presidency did not interfere by any means in the issue of amending some articles of the 2014 constitution.
The societal dialogue sessions are concerned with listening to politicians, political parties, public figures, the civil society, businessmen, and financial and economic institutions.
Parliament Speaker Ali Abdel Aal shaking hands with Soha Saied, member of the Coordination Committee of Parties' Youth Leaders and Politicians
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.
Parliament Speaker Abdel Al shaking hand with Amr Darwish, member of the Coordination Committee of Parties' Youth Leaders and Politicians
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.
Amr Al-Shihabi, member of the Coordination Committee of Parties' Youth Leaders and Politicians
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.
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