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Is quest to increase Egypt's presidential terms really altruistic?

Egyptian politicians and the public are skeptical about a lawmaker's attempt to lengthen the presidential term.
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi speaks during a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (unseen) at the El-Thadiya presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, March 2, 2017. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh - RTS115YV
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CAIRO — A proposed constitutional amendment that would extend the Egyptian presidential term has sparked controversy in political corridors and parliament as some lawmakers question its true intent.

Parliamentarian Ismail Nasreddin submitted a proposal Feb. 25 to increase the four-year presidential term to six years. Some opponents believe the amendment is a custom-made attempt to specifically benefit President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in the event of his re-election. The Egyptian Constitution of 2014 stipulates that the president can only be re-elected once.

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