Africa

Lawmakers in Egypt Prepare Proposals to Change Parliamentary System - Reports

CAIRO (Sputnik) - Members of the Support Egypt pro-government coalition have suggested introducing changes to the Egyptian constitution, which would envisage, in particular, the creation of an upper house of the parliament and the establishment of a vice president post, Middle East News Agency reported.
Sputnik

The lawmakers proposed to introduce a bicameral parliamentary system instead of unicameral one, to establish "one or more" posts of vice presidents, as well as to impose a quota for women's representation in parliament of at least 25 percent, according to the state-run Middle East News Agency.

The proposed amendments also envisage quotas for "adequate representation" of workers, farmers, young people, Christians and people with disabilities.

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According to the current Egyptian Constitution adopted in 2014, amendments to the basic law could be initiated by the president or a group of lawmakers representing at least one-fifth of all members of the parliament.

The Egyptian Constitution provides for a limit of two four-year presidential terms. Any amendment to the constitution must be approved in a national referendum after two-thirds of lawmakers vote in favour of it.

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