Just how independent is Egypt's parliament?
The speaker of the Egyptian parliament has caused an uproar by suggesting that in "tough times" the legislative and executive branches should act as one.
Egypt’s parliament hotly debated the government’s policy agenda before it was approved on April 20. During the sessions, several parliament members made scathing comments against statements released by the government and some ministers. They were answered in a warning by parliament Speaker Ali Abdel Aal, who described their words as offensive and abusive to the government and the Egyptian state.
During the debate on the government’s program, Abdel Aal said that he would use all of his strength to prevent any abuse against the government. He noted that Egypt is going through a tough period, and “In tough times there is no [individual] legislative or executive authorities. Rather, all of them should act as a single authority.”
According to Abdel Khabir Ata, a political science professor at Assiut University, Abdel Aal’s statement is a clear violation of the constitution and parliament’s internal regulations, stressing that the constitution guarantees the legislative branch's independence, granting it powers to monitor the government’s performance.
Article 5 of Egypt's current constitution bases the political system on political and partisan pluralism, a peaceful rotation of power, a separation and balance between powers, the responsibility that comes with power and respect for human rights and freedoms.
