Proposed amendments ensure judicial independence: Abu Shoka

CAIRO – 17 April 2019: Bahaa Abu Shoka, head of the Parliament’s legislative committee said that one of the six societal dialogue sessions held to discuss the constitutional amendments gathered the judges, affirming that article no. 185 that addresses the judicial system includes all what the judges have demanded.

Abu Shoka affirmed that the amended articles do not affect the independence of the judiciary, adding that it is an essential component of a state.

President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi has not requested amending any of the constitutional articles, Abu Shoka swore.



The approved amendments expand each of the two presidential terms allowed for any president to six years instead of four, while a separate transitional article gives an exceptional right to incumbent President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, who was re-elected in 2018, to run for a third 6-year term after he finishes his second term in 2024 instead of 2022.

The amendments also give the president the right to choose heads of courts, judicial bodies, the Supreme Constitutional Court, and the Attorney General, Egypt's top prosecutor from some nominees. He would also appoint one third of the members of the Shura Council, which was revived, this time under the name "The Senate.”