A presidential decree has ordered that the first legislative term of the parliament be concluded and that the second legislative term begin on 4 October, the parliament’s General Secretary Ahmed Saad El-Din announced on Thursday. The decree stipulates that the last session of the first legislative term was on 7 September. During the first legislative phase, the parliament approved three laws, including the Civil Service, Churches Construction and the Value-Added Tax. The parliament’s performance in the first term saw huge criticism by civil society members and opposition groups, even from some opposing MPs. Parliamentary elections were held in October 2015 and the opening session for the parliament’s first legislative term was on 10 January.

Source: Daily News Egypt September 09, 2016 21:00 UTC