November 19, 2017 9 News & Analysis Egypt Egyptian MP proposes amendment to extend presidential term limit despite Sisi’s disavowal

Ahmed Megahid quired to advance an amendment through parliament, before a refer- Cairo endum vote. An independent MP, with no of- ndependent MP Ismail Nasred- ficial ties to any of the established dine said he would try to pro- parliamentary blocs, Nasreddine pose a constitutional amend- said he is not explicitly seeking to ment to increase the term of empower Sisi. the presidency despite Egyp- “I want to amend the constitu- Itian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi tion for the sake of the stability of disavowing the idea. our country, regardless of who is in “Four years are far from enough office,” Nasreddine said. for any president to put his presi- Many MPs, both pro-Sisi and dential platform into effect,” opposition, voiced opposition to Nasreddine said. “If we really want a constitutional amendment in stability and progress for this coun- August, forcing Nasreddine at the try, we need to give presidents time to retract his bid. longer time in office.” Amr Moussa, who headed the as- Nasreddine, who represents the sembly responsible for drafting the Cairo district of Helwan, said he constitution, criticised the idea. wanted to increase the current lim- “Renewed talk about amending the it of two terms of four years each. constitution in a presidential elec- In an interview with CNBC, Sisi tion year raises questions about seemingly ended speculation re- the maturity of political thought garding increasing the presidential behind it,” Moussa said in a state- term limit. ment in August. Nasreddine said that he now has much stronger support for an amendment, which would seek to Despite Sisi publicly increase the presidential term to disavowing attempts six years, and that he intended to to lengthen the formally submit his proposal in a few weeks’ time when he has se- presidential term, cured enough support in the legis- many in Egypt lature. “There was huge pressure on the expressed scepticism constituent assembly to finalise about his intentions. drafting the constitution quickly,” MP Mutaz Mahmud said. “This was why a large number of the arti- “There is no president who will cles of the constitution need to be Familiar debate. A poster of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on display along a street in sit in the chair without the will of reconsidered for the best interests Cairo, on November 8. (Reuters) the Egyptian people,” Sisi said. “We of our country, including those on will not interfere [with the consti- the duration of the presidential tution]… I am with preserving two term.” has yet to officially state whether Build It,” has been gathering signa- against the will of the Egyptians,” four-year terms.” Egypt’s constitution was drafted he would seek a second term in of- tures calling for Sisi to seek re-elec- Sisi said in the CNBC interview. Nasreddine said that the presi- by a panel of 50 public figures, poli- fice, despite vowing not to stand tion. More than 3.7 million Egyp- “[Former Egyptian leader Hos- dent’s statement had not changed ticians, university professors, reli- for a third. He is, however, gener- tians have signed the petition, with ni] Mubarak used to say that he his mind about the need for a con- gious figures and representatives ally expected to run and easily millions more expected to do so. was not after power or wealth but stitutional amendment to increase of judicial agencies and profes- win the presidential elections next A popular campaign called ended up ruling for 30 years,” said the term of the presidency, how- sional unions following the ouster year. “Complete Your Favour” collected Hassan Nafaa, a political science ever. of Islamist President Muhammad Human rights lawyer Khaled Ali more than 15 million signatures in professor at Cairo University. “In Despite his enthusiasm, Nasred- Morsi in 2013. A referendum on the is the only person to formally an- 2013 urging Sisi to run for presi- normal conditions, it is parliament dine is facing a tough task to push constitution in January 2014 saw a nounce his presidential candidacy. dent. If a similar campaign were that challenges the president’s de- through a constitutional amend- yes vote of 98.1%. However, there He won less than 1% of the vote to be launched calling for Sisi to sire to keep staying in power but ment. He would first need to obtain was a turnout of less than 39%. in the 2012 presidential elections secure a third term in office, the our parliament is doing just the op- the support of 20% of MPs — 120 Despite Sisi publicly disavowing against Sisi and few expect him to president’s statements would seem posite.” members — to table a discussion attempts to lengthen the presiden- pose a serious challenge to Sisi in to make it unlikely he would agree. on the issue in parliament. A two- tial term, many in Egypt expressed next year’s election. “It doesn’t suit me as a president Ahmed Megahid is an Egyptian thirds majority vote would be re- scepticism about his intentions. He A public campaign, “So You Can to stay one more day [in office] reporter in Cairo. Turnout a key question ahead of Egypt’s presidential election

anoeuvring has coalition-building process is under ered. The government’s New Suez the race. begun ahead of way ahead of the 2018 election. Canal, inaugurated in 2015, failed Nevertheless, the emergence of Egypt’s 2018 presi- Members of parliament have to bring the promised revenue Ali as a potential presidential con- dential election, launched a campaign for Sisi’s boost. The feasibility of a prom- tender is significant. Given public Elissa Miller the third since the re-election called Let’s Build ised new administrative capital, anger surrounding the islands’ is a non-resident fellow at the 2011 revolution. Together. It emphasises that Sisi is which the government said would transfer, Ali could mobilise discon- Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri MEgyptian President Abdel Fattah the only person able to “meet the provide much-needed jobs, is tent against Sisi. Centre for the Middle East. al-Sisi has not announced his can- challenge” facing the country and highly uncertain. Despite Sisi’s consolidation didacy but it is widely expected “build and develop Egypt.” On the security side, the govern- of authority since 2014, public that he will seek — and win — a The campaign highlights what ment has struggled since 2014 to discontent and apathy could second term. Even so, the election it calls the major successes of defeat an Islamist insurgency in contribute to low turnout in the will be a test for the Sisi regime. Sisi’s presidency, namely the the Sinai. Troops in the Sinai have upcoming election. Significantly Turnout will be important, just mega-projects he has undertaken been involved in high-profile am- low turnout would be a blow to the as it was in the 2015 parliamentary since 2014. There is also mention bushes in recent weeks, prompting regime and its credibility. Sisi won elections. Then turnout was about of Sisi’s importance in terms of Sisi to reshuffle leadership of the about 97% of the vote in 2014 with 25%. Sisi’s government framed the Egypt’s security and stability. security forces. There has been a approximately 47% turnout. parliamentary polls as a critical The flattery cannot entirely growing number of attacks in the The regime and its supporters step in the post-revolution demo- obscure criticism faced by the Sisi interior, including on Christians. will undoubtedly take steps ahead cratic process. administration for its handling One of the most critical tests for of the polls to boost public support The low turnout, however, re- of economic development and the government was resentment to achieve a similar result but, flected widespread apathy among security challenges. The govern- of and opposition to the transfer though the presidential elections Egyptians, particularly young ment has touted a 2016 agreement of two Red Sea islands, Tiran and will probably garner more interest Egyptians, who expressed little with the International Monetary Sanafir, to Saudi Arabia. The deal than the 2015 parliamentary polls, interest in what some described Fund, an increase in investment prompted mass protests and wide- the regime will be anxious about as a rubber-stamp parliament. Ap- and other improved indicators of spread public anger and, while the turnout. peals to a “national duty” to vote macroeconomic stability as signs transfer was approved in June, it As Khaled Dawoud, a former did little to boost turnout. that Egypt’s economy is back on faced significant challenges from spokesman for the liberal Dostour It was the same with other gov- track. Egyptian courts. (Constitution) Party, said of the The flattery cannot ernment measures, such as time Necessary structural reforms Egyptian human rights lawyer turnout following the parliamen- entirely obscure off for public-sector employees have had an effect on the popula- and opposition leader Khaled Ali, tary elections: “It is an embarrass- criticism faced by the to vote, lower public transport tion. Inflation, for instance, sky- who won a case that nullified the ment and [the government] can’t fares on Election Day and repeated rocketed after the Egyptian pound islands’ transfer, announced that deny that it is an embarrassment.” Sisi administration exhortations from a pro-govern- was allowed to float last year. he would challenge Sisi in the 2018 In 2018, the stakes will be for its handling of ment talk show host. Eventually, Seeking to ease public concern election. Ali faces a jail sentence higher. Sisi’s victory may not be in as expected, the pro-Sisi For the over rising prices, Sisi credited for public indecency, an allegation question but his mandate economic Love of Egypt coalition emerged the move with strengthening the he claims is politically motivated. will hinge on the numbers of development and victorious in the polls. currency. He has filed an appeal but, if it Egyptians who head to the polling security challenges. The same sort of pro-Sisi Mega-projects have not deliv- fails, he could be disqualified from booths.