Under the huge economic and political challenges in Egypt, it is fighting corruption and striving to reform education. It also tries to fix healthcare and cultural ideology. Hard working also reach raising the standards of living, especially for the underprivileged and to do the best to attract investment and bring in job opportunities. Among that hassle, a number of MPs declare they intend to demand an amendment to the Constitution so as to extend the presidential term from four to six years. They can t see we have much important work to do and we don t have the luxury to do so.
It should be known that the 2014 Constitution was written after Egypt got rid of the Muslim Brotherhood regime. the constitution was written by faithful Egyptian people to established the mainstays of a modern civil State. The new Constitution clearly separates between State authorities, and meticulously defines their prerogatives and roles, with the aim of protecting democracy and securing peaceful rotation of power. Furthermore, we don t have the luxury to demonstrate in the streets and change the constitution whenever we don t like the performance of the government.
Constitutions are written to protect democracy and the nation from tyranny. By defining a four-year presidential term to be renewed only once, it ensures power is peacefully handed over. Constitutions are not written to honor or reward loyal patriotic rulers.
The Constitution entitles President Sisi to run for a second term which means he can stay till 2022. Why worry for Egypt then? And why this emotional hysteria that seeks to amend the Constitution to ensure what goes beyond that? Why open the door for constitutional amendment that would definitely preoccupy the nation and deplete its political and economic capacities for the sake of futile battles, conflicts and divisions that can only impede the path of reform, development and democracy?
I am aware of rampant public fears in Egypt that the current political party arena, plagued with fragmentation and feebleness, falls short of producing figures that qualify as good presidents. I am even more aware of a quiet conviction among Egyptians that the safety and stability of Egypt greatly depends on the harmony and united effort between the ruling administration and the military institution, a condition ably fulfilled by the current President. Yet, I also know that the political parties are weak and ailing, and that this situation should not be left to fester much longer.
I am totally convinced that President Sisi ought to run for a second presidential term, which totally accords with the current Constitution. I ardently hope he dedicates his second term to address the political party predicament in Egypt, and to spearhead a national program that would reform the party system, lead to democratic maturity, and prepare the parties to adequately and honorably contest posts of authority. This means the parties should overcome the political adolescence that works to jeopardise national security or relations among the various State institutions.
President Sisi already voiced that desire last May when he met the chief editors of Egypt s State-owned papers. “I have more than once called upon parties with the same agendas and political views to merge, in order to create [a few] strong parties [instead of numerous, conflicting feeble ones]. Only then will the parties produce calibres that qualify for power rotation.” The rush to amend the Constitution only serves to cover up on political party inadequacy.
I hope that amending the party scene would take priority during President Sisi s second term. President Sisi has achieved a lot for Egypt; but generating a vibrant political party arena would be the greatest of his achievements. He would go down in history as a man who did Egypt the best favour, and Egypt would gain much more than she would by amending the Constitution to keep him in power.
