Political developments in Egypt are slow

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) has said the elections for both houses of parliament will be held in November. SCAF is justifying what appears to be a two month postponement by saying that it was always the intention to start the procedures for the elections in September to allow for campaigning before the actual vote.

Most political figures have welcomed the delay as it will give nascent parties more time to organise themselves. The Muslim Brotherhood (MB) has not raised any objections.

Sources close to SCAF say that it is considering delaying the presidential election until after the new constitution has been approved. That would happen once the Constituent Assembly, to be appointed by the new parliament, has drawn up the constitution and had it approved in a referendum.

SCAF remains publicly committed to sticking with the original timetable, which would see the vote for the president taking place about two months after parliamentary elections. Many politicians, however, have argued that it would not be right to elect a president on the old constitution, which gives the holder almost unrestricted powers, when the new constitution is likely to transfer many of these to parliament.

SCAF is consulting leading political figures about the drawing up of a document that will incorporate the principles for the new constitution. It also appears to be encouraging Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) in proposing drafts for the constitution. The idea is that the Constituent Assembly can then get to work more quickly.

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© 2011 Menas Associates