Egypt’s judiciary takes bold step in showdown with Sisi
The Egyptian State Council decided to defy the law on the appointment of the heads of judicial bodies and nominated only Judge Yahya Dakroury, in a move that may stir a dispute with the president.
CAIRO — Egypt’s State Council General Assembly surprised Egyptian judicial and political circles May 13 by putting forward their most senior judge, Yahya Dakroury, as the single nominee to head the council.
The terms of the heads of the State Lawsuits Authority, the Administrative Prosecution and the Supreme Judicial Council expire June 30. Also, the current head of the State Council will reach retirement age and his post will become vacant July 19.
According to the law on the appointment of the heads of judicial bodies ratified by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on April 27, each body shall send the names of three candidates to the president 60 days before the vacancy of the posts.
The State Council’s nomination of Dakroury as its single candidate was in clear defiance of this law and stirred speculation about an ensuing dispute between the president and the State Council.
