• EGYPT
  • May 20, 2012
  • 3 minutes read

MP El-Prince: SCAF Has No Authority to Issue Complementary Constitutional Declaration

MP El-Prince: SCAF Has No Authority to Issue Complementary Constitutional Declaration

In a phone call to the ‘Race to Democracy’ program on the satellite TV channel ‘Egypt 25’, Dr. Hassan El-Prince, Deputy of the Egyptian People’s Assembly Health Committee, affirmed that he totally refuses the supplementary constitutional declaration which the ruling Military Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) intends to issue.


He further pointed that with the election of the People’s Assembly and Shura Council (Egypt’s two houses of parliament), full legislative power was completely transferred from SCAF to the two Chambers of Parliament.


MP El-Prince expressed concern that the Supplementary Constitutional Declaration – requested by some parties – will include supra-constitutional articles which SCAF unsuccessfully tried to introduce before in items VII and X, through the Selmi initiative, which was rejected by all the Egyptian people.


He explained that there is a general atmosphere of apprehension and fear of some ‘hidden hands’ subverting the march of the revolution, pushing the country away from the path of democratic transformation.


He pointed out that it is not right for political forces to conjure up a baseless problem out of thin air. He was baffled as to why they could not wait for just one month so a new constitution would be written for the country.


The lawmaker added the constitution would be finally written as soon as the Constituent Assembly is formed, detailing the powers of the next president in a natural and logical manner.


Furthermore, Dr. El-Prince stressed that electing a president with constitutional powers would certainly represent a return to the old system of governance yet again.


Responding to a question about powers and authorities, the parliamentarian said it is both natural and logical that Egypt’s next president is the head of the armed forces, and that he can take decisions of going to war – as the country’s president – after consulting with the armed forces, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces and defense minister.