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Politics of Egypt

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Egypt operates under a republican semi-presidential system of government. This structure means power is shared between a president and a legislative body. The current political framework was established following the 2013 Egyptian military coup d'état. This event led to the takeover by Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Under the current rules, the President serves a six-year term. The President also holds significant authority over other branches. For example, Article 137 allows the President to dissolve Parliament.

The presidency is a role with specific requirements and powers. The position was first created after the Egyptian Revolution of 1952. Mohammed Naguib was the first person to hold this office. To be eligible, a candidate must be an Egyptian citizen born to Egyptian parents. They must also be at least 40 years old. The President serves as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. However, the President cannot declare war alone. He must consult the National Defense Council and get approval from most Members of Parliament.

Egypt's legislative branch is known as the Parliament. It is the oldest legislative chamber in Africa and the Middle East. The system is bicameral, meaning it consists of two separate houses. The first is the House of Representatives, which is the principal legislative body. It can have a maximum of 596 representatives. Some members are directly elected, while others are appointed by the President. The second house is the Senate, which was reinstated in 2019. The Senate has 264 members, with 176 being directly elected.

Political history in Egypt has seen many major shifts and transitions. Before 2005, Parliament chose a presidential candidate for a public referendum. The 2011 Egyptian Revolution changed this process significantly. This led to the 2012 elections, which were the first free and fair elections in the nation's history. Mohamed Morsi, representing the Muslim Brotherhood, won that election. However, public discontent led to the 2013 coup d'état. General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi removed Morsi from office and was later elected president in 2014.

Rules regarding presidential terms have also changed over time. Originally, the 2012 constitution set a four-year mandate. A president could only be re-elected once under those rules. In April 2019, a constitutional referendum changed these terms to six years. This amendment allowed President el-Sisi to remain in power until 2030. The referendum was approved by 88.83% of voters, though the turnout was 44%. These changes represent a major shift in how long leaders can hold office.

Egypt allows for many different political parties to exist. There are currently more than 100 registered parties. Some notable groups include the Free Egyptians Party and the New Wafd Party. However, the Constitution forbids parties based on religion, race, or gender. This rule aims to protect national unity between Muslim and Christian Egyptians. The government also uses emergency laws and counter-terrorism laws to maintain order. For instance, a 2015 law allows the President to order curfews in certain areas.

On the international stage, Egypt holds a position of great influence. Cairo serves as the permanent headquarters for the League of Arab States. This organization brings many Arab nations together to discuss regional issues. Egypt has historically acted as a mediator in many disputes. This includes helping to resolve conflicts between various Arab nations and the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. Egypt was also the first Arab state to establish diplomatic relations with Israel. This followed the signing of the peace treaty at the Camp David Accords.

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