Egypt debates motion to extend presidential term limits
Posted Feb 5, 2019 2:52 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CAIRO — Egypt’s parliament is debating a motion to amend the country’s constitution, a move that could allow President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to stay in office beyond his designated maximum two-term limit ending in 2022.
Lawmaker Haitham el-Hariri says Tuesday’s session will discuss the motion, which was submitted Sunday.
The proposed amendments also include the introduction of the role of vice-president and a revived senate.
The motion is nearly certain to be adopted by the legislature, which is packed with el-Sissi supporters, but the amendments would also need to be put to a national referendum.
El-Sissi was elected in 2014, a year after leading the military’s overthrow of an elected but divisive Islamist president. He was re-elected last year after all potentially serious challengers were jailed or pressured to leave the race.
The Associated Press
