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In spite of warnings, Egypt's parliament reconvenes
By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
July 10th, 2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
July 10th, 2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
Heeding the command of democratically elected Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, parliament reconvened against the wishes of the powerful military and the Supreme Constitutional Court. Egypt's road to democracy has been a rocky one, fraught with violence - however, the military made no attempt to block lawmakers as they returned to their seats in parliament this week.
The legitimacy of parliament still remains in question. Morsi's presidential powers have since been reinstated after the military stripped them from him.
Taking great care not to incite the generals or the Supreme Constitutional Court, Parliament speaker Saad Katatni offered a compromise: Parliament may consider dissolving one-third of its seats and holding new elections for them. When the Supreme Constitutional Court disbanded the legislature last month, it said 30 percent of the seats, which were designated for independent candidates, were improperly elected.
"The parliament knows its rights and will not interfere with the law," Katatni said. The parliamentary meeting was adjourned within minutes. "We are meeting today in accordance with the court's decision in order to seek ways to implement the ruling."
It's not yet known if the Egyptian military, which recently granted it all legislative and many executive powers, will accept Katatni's logic. He also said parliament would appeal the high court ruling, despite a statement by the court that its decisions cannot be overturned.
The Egyptian army appeared to avoid confrontation as soldiers did not block lawmakers from entering the parliament building, as they had done in the past. The meeting illustrated the perpetual "Catch 22" pertaining to the post-Mubarak Egypt: all rules apply yet everything is negotiable.
The larger battle is the ongoing struggle between the Muslim Brotherhood and the secular state. The Brotherhood controls nearly 50 percent of parliament. Islamists see a landmark moment to advance their agenda. The generals, many of them appointed by Mubarak, have been maneuvering to stanch such ambitions in a political standoff that may play out for years.
Before Morsi was declared winner of a runoff election less than two weeks ago, the army curtailed presidential powers over the military, intelligence services and the national budget. Morsi has attempted to pressure the generals. Both sides are also seeking to advance their interests by influencing the drafting of a new constitution.
© 2012, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.