Debate arises as Egypt prepares to establish new Senate
As Egypt’s parliament prepares to vote on a bill to establish a new Senate, some say it would be beneficial for the country, while others believe it would add more financial burdens on the state.
Egypt is preparing to pass a law on the establishment of a new Senate as a second chamber of parliament, amid a debate over the purpose of its return mentioned in the 2013 constitution that was drafted following the ousting of President Mohammed Morsi.
On July 12, the Egyptian government submitted to the House of Deputies (parliament) the Senate bill, which was referred by Speaker Ali Abdel Aal to the Legislative and Constitutional Committee for discussion and preparation of a report for presentation to the plenary.
The House of Deputies was expected to pass the law at the end of its fourth session of convening on July 15. But the nongovernmental organizations law as well as the Insurance and Pensions Act were given priority, and so it is expected that the bill will be approved by the parliament in its October session.
The 2014 constitution abolished the second chamber, the so-called Shura Council, but the constitutional amendments that were submitted to the referendum in April approved the return of the second chamber of parliament under the name of the Senate.
