The Constituent Assembly plans to vote on the recommendation of its Political System Committee to rename the Shura Council as Senate and expand its legislative and supervisory powers.
The meeting at which the vote would be taken has yet to be scheduled, however.
Mohamed Toson, chairman of the Shura Council’s Legislative Committee, on Tuesday said the council deters tyranny of the regime and prevents errors in legislation. “Parliament has passed laws that were later found to be unconstitutional,” he said.
He added that the Shura Council carefully studies draft laws before they are issued. “The parliamentary elections law was unconstitutional and we had to dissolve the People’s Assembly,” he said. “This cost the state budget LE2 million.”
According to the 1971 Constitution, the Shura Council has an advisory role, giving opinions on constitutional amendments and legislation.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
