Alarm raised over bill allowing Sisi to rule Egypt until 2034

Proposals also include increased political control over the military and judiciary

Ruth Michaelson in Cairo
Thu 14 Feb 2019 15.27 GMT

Egypt’s president, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, has moved one step closer to staying in power until 2034 after parliament advanced a bill that changes the constitution by extending presidential terms and allows Sisi to run for re-election beyond the current two-term limit.

The bill also grants new political powers to the military and extra presidential control over the judiciary, dealing another blow to opponents of Sisi’s increasingly autocratic regime.

In a rare criticism during a debate over the bill, one MP branded the reforms “medieval” and said they were tailored to facilitate absolute rule by Sisi, the former head of Egypt’s armed forces who took power in a coup in 2013.

The bill has moved swiftly through the Egyptian legislature since it was tabled on 3 February, aided by a decision to move the debate forward by several days. On Thursday, 485 out of 596 MPs voted to advance the bill, which also contains a package of more palatable changes such as the creation of a vice-presidential post, a quota of 25% female representation, and a new upper house in parliament.

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