Egypt's parliament is holding today the last debate on proposed constitutional amendments which comes ahead of a final vote by lawmakers on the changes to the 2014 written charter, before the amendments are put on a national referendum, likely before early May when the Muslim holy month of Ramadan starts.
Among many suggestions, the proposals extend a president's term in office from four to six years.
Days ago, the House of Representatives’ legislative and constitutional committee, headed by Dr. Ali Abdel Al, approved a set of constitutional amendments, in particular, article 200, paragraph 1, which states the protection of the Egyptian civil state by the Armed Forces.
The article states that the Armed Forces are owned by the people, and carry the responsibility of protecting the country; preserving the safety and security of its lands; protecting the constitution and democracy; and preserving the pillars of the civil state, as well as the gains of the people and the rights and freedoms of the inpiduals. The article further states that only the state establishes these forces; and that all inpiduals, bodies or organizations are forbidden from establishing military or quasi-military formations, groups or arrangements.
In addition, article 3 states that for Egyptian Christians and Jews, the principles of their religious law will be the main source in regulating their personal status, matters pertaining to their religion, and the selection of their spiritual leadership
The members also approved article 204 paragraph 2, stating that a civilian cannot be tried in front of a military court, unless in crimes such as attacking a military institution, camps of the armed forces or establishments protected by the latter, military areas or borders; or attacking military tools, vehicles, armoury, documents, secrets, public assets or military factories; as well as crimes related to transcription; or crimes that constitute a direct attack on military officers and inpiduals because of performing their jobs.
The parliament members also approved article 234; stating that the minister of defense is hired after the approval of The Supreme Council of Armed Forces.
In addition, 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.
Abdel Aal affirmed many times that President Sisi did not ask for amending Article No. 140 extending the presidential term.
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