A GLIMPSE ON POLITICS

A brief History: Egypt’s modern history dates from 1952 when King Farouk was overthrown in a military coup by a group of "Free Officers". Egypt subsequently became a republic under the presidency of General Mohammed Naguib, who was replaced in 1954 by Colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser. Mr. Nasser was succeeded on his death in 1970 by his Vice-President Anwar Sadat; who was succeeded also by his Vice-President, a former air-force commander, M. Hosni Mubarak, who has been in power since 1981.

President: The President is head of state and supreme commander of the armed forces. His authority includes the right to veto legislation, and to appoint the prime minister, ministers, provincial governors, armed forces and security heads, major religious figures and high court judges.

NDP, the ruling party: The government is led by the prime minister, currently Dr. Ahmed Nazif, who was appointed in 2004. It is supported in parliament by the National Democratic Party (NDP), which has the majority of 311 seats in the People’s assembly. There are 24 legal opposition parties to NDP.

Legislative power: It is exercised by the People’s Assembly, which comprises 444 directly elected members and 10 presidential appointees. Presidential decrees also have the force of law, even without being vetted by the People’s Assembly. In 2005 parliamentary election, the ruling NDP has around two-thirds majority.

Consultative Council: It is the upper house of Egyptian bicameral parliament and is dominated by the NDP. Members sit for six years; one-third are appointed by the president, and half of those remaining face election every three years. The most recent election to the Consultative Council was held in July 2007.

Elections: Presidential elections are due by 2011, and Parliamentary elections are due by 2010, usually in November.

Political Parties