Introduction
Egypt is currently undergoing a political and constitutional process of modernization, the most extensive in its modern history yet to be carried out.
Egypt's current Constitution was drafted in 1971. Although a number of amendments were introduced in 1980, the latest was initiated in 2005 concerning the process of electing the President.
Given the political, economic and social development Egypt has seen over the past few decades, modernizing the country's Constitution has become essential if Egyptians were to keep abreast of the times, and proceed towards greater democracy, economic prosperity, as well as social and cultural well-being.
Important Constitutional Reforms
• The proposed reforms represent a quality shift in Egypt's Constitutional development.
• They are the most extensive and most important to be introduced to the present Constitution since its promulgation in 1971.
• They represent a quality shift and a new stage of development since 1952 compared to all the previous constitutions particularly in respect of the political system and inter-authority relationships.
• They represent a modern phase that will render the Constitution more compatible with the current political and economic changes.
• They will eventually lead to a new set of political and democratic practices likely to enhance the role of Parliament, government, local administration, and parties.
These Constitutional reforms are intended to strengthen Parliament role through:
• Enhancing its role with respect to introducing budget changes and priority-setting.
• Enhancing Parliament role as regards approving the government's program prior to its formation.
• Allowing Parliament to withdraw confidence from the government by vote without resorting to referendum.
These Constitutional reforms are intended to strengthen the role of political parties:
• Political parties are the backbone of political life and strengthening them means giving greater impetus to democracy.
• The reforms are intended to strengthen the political parties by means of adopting the electoral system most suitable for parliamentary representation.
• They seek to strengthen the role of parties by offering more opportunities for thier candidates to run for the seat of president.
These reforms are intended to boost the independence of the judiciary by:
• Abolishing the position of the Socialist Prosecutor and the Court of Values.
• Abolishing the Supreme Council of Judicial Authorities.
These reforms are intended to promote the right of citizenship:
• They seek to boost individuals' right to live secure from terror through promulgating a new law on terrorism.
• They seek to enhance individuals' right to choose from among a number of presidential candidates.
• They seek to help citizens determine State Budget priorities through their representatives in Parliament.
• They seek to promote individuals' right to electing a parliament that is more representative of women and parties.
• They seek to facilitate voting through improving the electoral process.
• They are intended to improve local administrations and services through the decentralization process.
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