By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor
We have another example of a parliament facilitating another eternal presidency. Egypt’s Parliament acted this week to amend the nation’s constitution to allow its current president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, to remain in power to 2034. Much of the pretext lies in the familiar call of a need for greater control and monopolization of the presidency to secure promised “reforms” and “progress”.
Amendments to the constitution include extending the term of office for the presidency from four to six years and controversially includes a reset of the term limit clause of the currently sitting president, effectively providing al-Sisi the ability to serve until 2034.
Supporters of the amendments claim that the president needs more time to complete development projects and economic reforms.
Moreover, to further cement greater control, the presidency would now wield the ability to appoint judges and the public prosecutor as well as the establishment of a second chamber of parliament–the Council of Senators–two thirds of who’s members are appointed by the president.
The next step is review by a parliamentary committee followed by a second vote by the general membership. If approved a national referendum will follow several months later.
By Darren Smith
Source: e-Kurd.net
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