The dominance of Parliament over the constitutional drafting process represents a real threat to the balance of power between governmental branches as well as to the stability of the state, said presidential hopeful Ahmed Shafiq in a statement released Wednesday.
The former prime minister echoed the complaints of a growing number of political groups and special interests who say the constituent assembly does not represent society.
In the statement, Shafiq predicted that if Parliament monopolizes the constitution writing process it will broaden its powers at the expense of the executive and judicial authorities. He warned this would upset the balance of power as all branches of government must have equal and balanced powers so as to allow for accountability and prevent the overlapping of roles.
Commenting on the successive withdrawals of members from the constituent assembly, Shafiq said, “This is only natural in light of the fact that Egypt's political and intellectual elite do not want to be used as decorations in order to pass a constitution that does not represent society as a whole.
“The constitution is a document that must enjoy a general consensus, and must meet the factional, geographical and age-related concerns and interests of all Egyptians,” said Shafiq.
“Therefore, all Egyptians must be represented by it, and must be able to accept that it be applied to them rather than feeling they cannot relate to it or that it was imposed on them.”
Shafiq criticized the scant 6 percent representation of women in the constituent assembly, which he described as having failed to ensure equal representation for all members of society. He added that Coptic representation was also inadequate.
Shafiq went on to say that the new constitution comes at an historical moment in time, and that it must express the changes that have taken place as the public no longer accepts inequality and will not accept the exclusion of those who have suffered from years of marginalization. Historical responsibility compels the majority to listen to everyone and to avoid the monopolization power, he said.
He concluded by saying that, most of all, the constitution should reflect the society’s identity and should ensure that the law provides freedom for all Egyptians.
