Egyptian PA Speaker Warns ‘Parallel Parliament’

Dr. Fathy Sorour, head of the parliament, has warned of the seriousness of forming a “parallel parliament” which was launched by former MPs, saying: “I am worried for them, as Article 86 of the Penal Code criminalizes them because this is considered a gathering that threatens social peace.”

Sorour made remarks to Egyptian TV on Monday evening that he had not studied the issue fully but his experience of law tells him that: “There is something wrong. If they wanted to do that as a party, then that is permissible, but when a group of the opposition form a parallel parliament in the context of an institution or organization, this makes one wonder.”

Dr. Sorour stressed that he thinks the coming parliament will be strong he noted however that the NDP is facing doubts that the parliament will be peaceful, stressing he believes that internal opposition will start to form.

Sorour asserted that the parliament is the competent authority to decide the invalidity of memberships. He noted that he would never accept having a deceitful MP in parliament.