Egypt’s parliament initially approved constitutional amendments allowing President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to extend his term in office until 2034. These amendments will be referred to the parliament’s legislative committee to go for a review before they get the parliament’s final vote. In case the amendments get approval from a two-thirds majority, parliament will hold a referendum according to the 2014 constitution. During the plenary sessions throughout the last week, some representatives of political parties overwhelmingly voiced their rejection to amending the constitution. “We are going backwards to the Middle Ages,” Tantawi added, strongly disagreeing that the amendments could be considered progress by any means.

Source: Egypt Independent February 15, 2019 14:26 UTC