Egyptian Lawmakers Clear Path for Sisi’s Extended Rule Until 2034, Reports Reuters

CAIRO (Reuters) – On Tuesday, an Egyptian parliamentary committee approved proposed constitutional amendments that could enable President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to remain in power until 2034 and enhance his influence over the judiciary.

This approval marks the initial step toward moving forward with the constitutional changes, which are anticipated to receive final endorsement from parliament and subsequently be put to a referendum in the coming months.

The suggested amendments were presented to the speaker of parliament on Sunday, who leads the committee that authorized the changes. To proceed, the amendments require approval from two-thirds of parliament members, along with a referendum.

“This is a constitution made for a pharaoh,” remarked Mohamed Zaree from the Cairo Institute of Human Rights Studies, adding that it grants Sisi significant authority without accountability.

Supporters of Sisi argue that the changes are essential for the country’s stability and provide the president with additional time to carry out economic development initiatives.

The amendments entail extending the presidential term from four to six years as stipulated in article 140 of the constitution, along with a transitional clause that could effectively allow Sisi to maintain his presidency until 2034, as indicated by a draft reviewed by Reuters.

Furthermore, the proposed revisions would grant Sisi increased powers regarding the appointment of judges and the public prosecutor.

Critics contend that Sisi has steered Egypt further into authoritarianism than former president Hosni Mubarak, who was ousted in 2011 after three decades in power under a state of emergency.

Additionally, the amendments propose modifying article 200 of the constitution to stipulate that the military’s role is to safeguard “the constitution and democracy, as well as the fundamental structure of the nation and its civil character.” Some critics worry that these changes may bolster military influence in Egypt’s political landscape.

The military and intelligence services in Egypt hold substantial sway over both political and economic matters and have taken on a more visible role since Sisi led the military coup in 2013 that ousted the country’s first democratically elected president, Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Talaat Khalil, one of 16 leftist lawmakers who held a news conference on Monday to oppose the proposed amendments, suggested that this could allow the armed forces to favor one politician over another, stating, “This is a big danger.”