Debate is going on about the constitutional amendments proposed by President Mubarak in the People Assembly and Shura Council and also in the public forums hoping to expand the base of agreement on the ideas included in said amendments approved, in principle, by both the upper and lower houses.

Regardless of difference on the amendments which are excluded to certain articles asked to be changed by President Mubarak, by virtue of his constitutional authorities, it is certain that the proposed amendments represent a step on the road of political reform as they aim at striking balance between the three authorities of State.

The constitutional amendments represent a step on the road of reform adopting the principle of gradualism instead of the surge and balancing between requirements of developments and necessities of keeping stability. It also rejects to perform strict changes appeared inevitable and necessary by some people but changing them at the present time may lead to big troubles.

Ensuring the fair elections represents the main problem under the amendment which stipulates the necessity of ending the legislative and presidential elections in one day through increasing the number of constituencies which make it difficult to assign a judge for each ballot box. No doubt, the judicial supervision represents the guarantor which attracts voters' confidence and any alternative system such as the formation of a higher commission would be doubted.

The main challenge in face of the constitutional amendments is the prevailing conditions of doubts, absence of confidence and the wide gap between the regime and political street. The battle in defence of the civil state against its enemies requires a more expanded frontier gathering all enlightened powers and national parties thus leading the ruling party to review its policies. Said frontier will help in restoring confidence of the political street and ensuring support of people to a serious political reform, even if gradual, committed to the full transparency.

Al-Ahram
By: Makram Mohamed Ahmed
24/2/2007