Several partisan blocs within the House of Representatives are to make inquiries into allegations that Supply Minister Khaled Hanafy has been living in a 5-star hotel at the expense of the ministry.
If the minister fails to prove that the US$593 per night bill is coming out of his own pocket, parliament may vote to withdraw confidence from Hanafy.
The allegations were made on Friday by parliament member and journalist Mostafa Bakry, who said during his talk show "Haqa'eq wa Asrar" (Truths and secrets) that Hanafy has racked up a cost of LE7 million for the ministry, residing in a luxury hotel suite since taking office last year.
Ministry spokesman Mahmoud Diab denied Bakry's claim later that day, saying the minister has been paying for himself.
Several partisan figures inside parliament were unconvinced, however, deeming the affair a violation that the supply minister should be held accountable for, and possibly dismissed over.
Deputy head of Al-Wafd parliamentary bloc, Ahmed al-Segeny, said he will make a motion requesting the source of funding to be shared openly, based on the premise that state institutions have a right to know where this money is coming from at a time when the government is calling for austerity.
Meanwhile, the Free Egyptians party has demanded wide scale parliamentary change — including a complete reshuffle of the cabinet — after what it considers to be a series of failures. Mostqbal Watan (the Nation's Future Party) has called for the cabinet be dismissed if the allegations against Bakry prove to be true.
In a separate statement, Bakry said, "I believe the minister when he says he is paying for himself, but I have nevertheless asked him to release the financial disclosure report which he submitted upon taking office."
Parliamentary sources told Al-Masry Al-Youm that Bakry has been in contact with several MPs since Friday, and Hanafy has been summoned to parliament this week for questioning.
According to article 131 of the constitution, the House of Representatives has the right to withdraw confidence from the government — or any of its members — after filing a motion of no confidence, preceded by an interrogation and upon a proposal submitted by at least one-tenth of the members of the House of Representatives. Withdrawal of confidence requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the House members.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
