INSTITUTIONS
The Egyptian government is broken up into a few main sections by the constitution: the legislative authority, the executive authority, and the judicial authority, which includes the supreme constitutional court and judicial bodies. America also has a legislative, executive, and judicial branch, but the way these branches are carried out within the government varies.
The Egyptian Parliament as of January 2016.
THE LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY
In Egypt, the legislative branch is a parliament, which is divided into two chambers: the People’s Assembly and the Shura Council. The People’s Assembly is the main branch of parliament. It can pass and enact laws, and approve treaties and the national budget. The People’s Assembly has more than 450 members that are elected directly through secret public balloting. The Shura Council does not have any legislative powers, and instead acts as a consultant to the president, the People’s Assembly, and the executive branch. The Shura Council is similar to the Senate in that it acts as a consultant, but the Senate also has legislative powers. While technically the Egyptian Parliament is bicameral, like the U.S. Congress, it is not truly bicameral because the Shura Council has no legislative power.
All parliament members must be an Egyptian citizen, hold a certificate of basic education, and be over 25 years old on the candidacy registration date. Before going into office, the soon-to-be members must take an oath that is spelled out in the constitution. Legislative terms last for five calendar years and a member cannot sit for more than two consecutive terms, but a member can be revoked if they have violated their membership or resigned with a written document. The house is seated in Cairo, where ordinary sessions last for nine months, starting before the first Thursday of October, and a speaker and two deputy speakers are elected for full terms. Their objective is to approve general state policy along with the general economic and social state plan.
All parliament members must be an Egyptian citizen, hold a certificate of basic education, and be over 25 years old on the candidacy registration date. Before going into office, the soon-to-be members must take an oath that is spelled out in the constitution. Legislative terms last for five calendar years and a member cannot sit for more than two consecutive terms, but a member can be revoked if they have violated their membership or resigned with a written document. The house is seated in Cairo, where ordinary sessions last for nine months, starting before the first Thursday of October, and a speaker and two deputy speakers are elected for full terms. Their objective is to approve general state policy along with the general economic and social state plan.
THE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY
The executive authority is divided into different areas: the president of the republic, who is head of the state and the executive branch, the government, which is headed by the prime minister, and the local administration units divided by the states.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC
The president of the republic must be an Egyptian born to Egyptian parents, he, his parents, or his spouse cannot have held citizenship elsewhere, he must have civil and political rights, he must have performed military service or been excused from it, and he must be at least 40 years old. He must receive House or citizen recommendations, is elected by direct secret ballot, he takes an oath before going into office, and can serve no more than two terms of four years. The president assigns a prime minister to form government, present his program to the House of Representatives, exempt government from carrying out tasks, delegate authorities, call the government to a meeting, and more. While Egypt has a president, theirs must obtain recommendations before becoming a candidate and then is elected by direct secret balloting, while in the U.S., anyone fitting the qualifications can run and will be elected through delegation.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT (within the executive authority)
The federal government is the supreme executive authority in Egypt. The prime minister or any other governmental position must be an Egyptian citizen of Egyptian parents, he and his spouse cannot have had any other citizenship, he must enjoy civil/political rights, he must have performed in the military or excused from it, he must be at least 35 years old, and before entering into office he must take an oath. The government works with the president to create and carry out the state's public policy, protect the rights of the citizens, and implement laws. These duties are similar to the duties that the bureaucracy in the United States carries out. The prime minister has a few more powers, such as organizing public interests and giving out disciplinary regulations. Although in both America and Egypt the president works with the government to carry out tasks, the Egyptian government is headed by a prime minister.
LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS
States are divided into local administration units that are given a legal standing. The state grants rights to support administrative, financial, and economic decentralization, and ensures that they will grant local administrations what they need for certain assistance, and ensures the distribution of certain services. Local administrations are granted independent financial budgets that they are in charge of. Local councilmen must be at least 21 years old and are elected by direct secret ballot for four year terms. They are in charge of the development plan, different aspects of activities, and monitoring executive authority. America breaks their states into districts and regions, which are types of local administration units that have local governments. In Egypt, these local governments are tied closer to the states and generally have more power than local governments in America.
THE JUDICIARY
THE JUDICIAL BRANCH
The judicial branch is independent, with the state body being an independent part of the judiciary. Likewise, the state cases authority and administrative prosecution are independent bodies. The bodies are to handle their own affairs along with judges being independent and are equal in rights and duties. The judiciary tries all crimes in a public court unless another judiciary is involved and the public prosecution is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of all criminals unless otherwise noted by law.
THE SUPREME CONSTITUTIONAL COURT
The Supreme Constitutional Court is an independent judicial body that determines the constitutionality of laws and regulations. It is made up of a president and deputies, all of which are to be independent. Publications of rulings/decisions of the SCC are done by the Official Gazette. The judiciary within the Egyptian government is to be separated while in America, it is another branch that is a part of the checks and balances. Both have a supreme court, however in Egypt there is a president of the Supreme Constitutional Court and all ruling and decisions are to be published by the Official Gazette.
SOURCES
“Legal Research Guide: Egypt.” Legal Research Guide: Egypt, Library of Congress, 30 Apr. 2012, www.loc.gov/law/help/legal-research-
guide/egypt.php. Accessed 30 May 2017.
“Egyptian Constitution.” Constitute, www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Egypt_2014?lang=en. Accessed 24 May 2017.
Pictures Retrieved From:
http://globalriskinsights.com/2016/01/does-a-new-parliament-signal-a-shift-for-egypt/
http://www.baaghi.tv/egypt-launches-air-raids-libya-29-christians-killed/
http://www.iran-daily.com/News/112761.html
guide/egypt.php. Accessed 30 May 2017.
“Egyptian Constitution.” Constitute, www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Egypt_2014?lang=en. Accessed 24 May 2017.
Pictures Retrieved From:
http://globalriskinsights.com/2016/01/does-a-new-parliament-signal-a-shift-for-egypt/
http://www.baaghi.tv/egypt-launches-air-raids-libya-29-christians-killed/
http://www.iran-daily.com/News/112761.html