Mubarak to nominate himself for elections, rejects constitutional changes
Egypt, Politics, 1/31/2005

President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt has renewed his rejection for the demands set by the Egyptian opposition to amend the constitution to choose the President of the Republic by direct elections among more than one candidate.

Mubarak ( 76 year old) said while he was on his way to Abuja to take part in the African Union summit on Sunday that any violation of the constitution "will affect the country's security and stability." He also considered that the call to change the constitution is futile. He urged those who talk about direct elections and referendum and the attempt to make a balance between the two attitudes to realize that the referendum is built on the nomination of people's representatives to the parliament.

Implicitly, the Egyptian President stressed his intention to nominate himself for a fifth term of office as he said "my election program is declared and is applied every day. I am not new on the arena and my work is my program." According to the valid constitutional measures, any person wishing to nominate himself for the presidential elections should get one third of members of the parliament, who ( the parliamentarians) will then at a two third majority will choose one candidate for making a referendum on this nomination.

During the few past months, demands rose by the Egyptian opposition not to extend for the Egyptian president -- who has been in power for 24 years -- for a fifth six-year term of office.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak and 53 African leaders discuss African problems in Abuja tomorrow   (1/29/2005)
  Mubarak and 53 African leaders discuss African problems in Abuja tomorrow   (1/29/2005)
  Mubarak rejects settling the Palestinians in al-Ghardaqa   (1/18/2005)
  Mubarak in an interview with al-Arabiya: religious parties are prohibited,all can join parliamentary as individuals   (1/17/2005)

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