Political Impasse in Egypt
July 30, 2012The recently elected president of Egypt selected the new government's first Prime Minister on Tuesday. Among the difficulty though in politics since the elections two months ago, involves the three level Supreme Court of the Armed Forces system that's comprised of personal appointments during the leadership of ousted former president Hosni Mubarak. Incidents of deceptive political shenigans by the court have been a common theme since the former president was deposed. A few days prior to the free popular elections in June, marking a sign of hope for the country that raged in months of protests, the judges abruptly disbanded the 445 member Parliament. The reason was speculative with different sides of the political groups justifying their own reason for action. But popular opinion voiced that it was corruption of the courts who wished to limit the political power of the Muslim Brotherhood party, as they represented a vast majority of Parliament and with the election of Muhammad Morsi, a former member of the Brotherhood, would extend overwhelming control. Morsi's opponent, was the former Vice President under Mubarak's government, the favored candidate of the courts.
So upon Morsi's win and his rhetoric since taking office, his expectations are for a democratic shift that may cater to diversity but strongly reflect the majority Muslim belief system of the population. While the military Court council certainly doesn't oppose a Muslim idea of state, they are against the threat of having their power in Egypt diminished. So a rift has been prevelant between the judicial and executive functions of the government.
The Parliament represents the legislative chamber and upon entering office, Morsi reinstated the body, which had been elected by popular vote in February to serve as an interim Parliament until formation of a new government. The court's however claimed that Morsi overstepped his power by bringing Parliament back in session and require that the new constitution be drawn and a presidential cabinet be created before any appointment of Parliament can function. Not having a Parliament significantly hinders the president's authority to legislate and make reforms. Choosing a new Prime Minster as occurred on Tuesday may be the first step in advancing the mission of the new government as it currently stands with the obstacles of the previous Mubarak strongmen holding influence. Next step is establishment of a cabinet, drafting the current constitution and restructuring Parliament which experts concede could be several months away. As long as the military appointed judges hold their position, the slower change may progress for Egypt.
The mew PM is 50 year old Hesham Kandil, an American educated engineer who had recently served as the head of the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. His first role is to fill new government positions that includes negotiating with the Supreme Court Counsel of Armed Forces on the appointment of minister of defense. It's likely to be a trying process of adopting the ideal government that the country advocates and has been touted by the president.