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Open for debate

January 23, 2012

A new generation of politicians has opened the inaugural session of parliament in Egypt since last year's ouster of President Hosni Mubarak. Parliament will play a key role in drafting Egypt's new constitution.

https://p.dw.com/p/13oEE
Soldier guards parliament building
Parliament met under heavy securityImage: AP

The new Egyptian parliament opened for its first session in Cairo on Monday, electing a speaker as its first order of business.

As the oldest member of the 508-seat house, 81-year-old Mahmoud al-Saqa of the liberal Wafd party acted as speaker for the inaugural session.

The dominant Muslim Brotherhood group, which won 47 percent of the seats, nominated senior party official Mohammed Saad al-Katatni for the post. He secured the post with 399 votes out of 496.

Islamist parties like the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party are now legal in Egypt after last year's ouster of long-serving President Hosni Mubarak. Combined, they won two-thirds of the 498 seats that were available in a multi-stage election that began last November and is still not quite finished. The country's interim military ruler, Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, appointed 10 further members of parliament.

Saad al-Katatni
Saad al-Katatni became the house speakerImage: REUTERS

More elections loom

Monday's session began with a moment of silence to remember those killed in the uprising against Mubarak.

Security forces were also on high alert in the capital and around the parliament building, which is not far away from Tahrir Square, the part of Cairo that became the epicenter of protests against Egypt's former rulers.

Hundreds of  demonstrators marched to the parliament building as lawmakers held their opening session on Monday. They were protesting against Field Marshal Tantawi and his ruling military council, which have led the country since the fall of Mubarak. They accuse the military leadership of human rights abuses and stifling dissent.

Parliament is now expected to start work on a new Egyptian constitution, and to help lay the foundations for presidential elections, currently scheduled for June. Egypt's military rulers will remain in charge of the country until these processes are complete, but say they will step back thereafter.

Elections for the upper house of parliament are scheduled to begin in February.

Author: Mark Hallam, Chuck Penfold (AP, dpa, Reuters)
Editor: Nancy Isenson

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