Mubarak: Constitutional amendments are designed for the future
Egypt, Politics, 1/20/2007

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak said constitutional amendments are designed for the future, praising serious and elaborate debates in the People's Assembly and the Shura Council on these amendments.

In statements to AI-Ahram editor in-chief, the President said Article No. 77 on the presidential terms no longer a source of controversy after Article 76 was amended.

He said under this amendment candidacy for the post of the president is open for competition and the people have become the main source of the authority.

Elaborating, the President said if the president, who is elected from among many candidates, does not make any accomplishments, the people would not elect him for another term.

The President said amendment of Article No. 76 aims at reactivating parties as they are the backbone of the political regime.

In this context, the President said nobody had known about the decision amending Article No. 76, adding Egypt is applying constitutional reforms in line with its conditions and in response to the legitimate aspirations of the people.

The President said during a period of 57 years of public activity, he did not seek any personal glory adding all his life was dedicated for the interest of the people and rebuilding Egypt.

He said all underway reforms are targeting Egypt's interest and not the interest of a certain group or party.

The President said prospective constitutional amendments are aimed at reactivating parties so that the winning party may be responsible for the implementation of the platforms submitted by those who will run for election.

President Mubarak said the change that would take place in the Egyptian economic system following the constitutional amendments would not affect subsidies.

The President said the subsidies rose from LE 2.5 billion in 1981 to LE 55 billion currently, expecting them to cost state coffers even a lot more in the coming period.

He said the electoral platform has been scientifically studied and "we know how to implement it to the interest of the people."

He added he listened carefully to all viewpoints before making decisions that served the interest of the people.

Previous Stories:
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  Fiqi calls for public-owned channels   (11/27/2006)
  Egypt: Reform priority in gov't policy   (11/27/2006)
  Amending Egypt's constitution for multi-party system   (10/31/2006)

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