Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak
צילום: AFP
Egypt: Opposition wants presidency abolished
Four of Cairo's opposition parties mull possible change in system of government; urge replacing presidential regime with parliamentary one
Four of Egypt's opposition parties urged a change in the country's system of government Monday, calling for a move from a presidential regime to a parliamentary one and suggesting the presidency be abolished altogether.
According to al-Jazeera television station, the heads of Egypt's Democratic Front Party (al-Gabha al-Democrat), Nasserist Party, New Wafd Party (al-Wafd-al-Gadid) and Progressive National Unionist Party (al Tagammo' al Watani al Taqadommi al Wahdwawi') held a Cairo conference to discuss the constitutional reforms needed in Egypt.
The four also urged Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to step down as head of the ruling National Democratic Party.
The four's defiant stand against the regime, which is trying to remain steady in wake of Mubarak's (81) failing health, also urged annulling the country's Emergency Law, which has been in effect since Mubarak's predecessor Anwar al-Sadat was assassinated, in 1981.
The opposition would also like to see several constitutional amendments introduced, mostly in areas where political and media freedoms are constricted.
The reformist Wafd Party found itself in the eye of a political storm Sunday, after Egyptian newspaper al-Masri al-Yum reported it stuck a secret deal with the ruling party, guaranteeing it 23 parliamentary seats in the next elections, as long as it refrains from endorsing would-be presidential candidate and former International Atomic Energy Agency chief, Mohamed ElBaradei.
London-based Arabic-language newspaper al-Quds al-Arabi reported Monday that a similar political deal was struck with the Nasserist and Progressive National Unionist parties, guaranteeing each 20 house seats if they refuse to endorse ElBaradei's presidential bid.
The National Democratic Party denied the reports, saying that "the only deal the party makes it with the citizens of Egypt, which have the right to decide and vote. No one will strike any deal at the expense of the people."
Meanwhile, Egyptian's are wondering how Mubarak, who recently underwent gallbladder surgery, is doing. The German hospital where he is recovering said the Egyptian leader was doing well, but nevertheless, his release is pending.
