Egypt

Prime minister: New parliamentary elections law to be finished Sunday

The Cabinet will finish the new parliamentary elections law Sunday, then submit it to the Shura Council to pass it after consideration, Prime Minister Hesham Qandil said.

It would then be sent to the Supreme Constitutional Court for review.

During a press conference Sunday after 10 new ministers took the oath of office, Qandil said the law would include amendments agreed upon during a national dialogue with political figures held by the presidency.

The law would adopt the principle of equal opportunities, with each list including the number of seats in accordance with the number of votes cast in every electoral district.

President Mohamed Morsy, during his meeting with the new Cabinet members, stressed the necessity of achieving tangible results to ease the burden on citizens, Qandil added, saying the new Cabinet would represent all Egyptians regardless of party, group or political faction.

Qandil carried out the Cabinet reshuffle Saturday.

The new ministers include Finance Minister Morsy Hegazy, Local Development Minister Mohamed Ali Beshr, Transportation Minister Hatem Abdel Latif, Parliamentary and Legal Affairs Minister Omar Salem, Electricity Minister Ahmed Imam, and Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim ­— who had previously served under former Prime Minister Kamal al-Ganzouri.

They also include Supply and Social Affairs Minister Bassem Kamal, Environment Minister Khaled Mohamed Fahmy Abdel Aal, Communications Minister Atef Helmy and Civil Aviation Minister Wael al-Maddawy.

Qandil highlighted the necessity of encouraging investment and achieving democracy, stability and judicial independence, as well as focusing on the economy and social justice.

He added that in the near future there would be more communication with media and political groups to publicize the government’s actions.

“We were accused of doing nothing,” Qandil said. “We will show this through opening projects and dialogue with different parties.”

Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm

Related Articles

Back to top button