The Constituent Assembly has invited four leading opposition figures to discuss the controversial draft constitution in an open session on Friday at 2:30 pm, hours before the second round of voting begins in the constitutional referendum on Saturday.
Constitution Party head Mohamed ElBaradei, Popular current leader Hamdeen Sabbahi, Wafd Party leader Al-Sayed al-Badawy and Conference Party head Amr Moussa were each invited to voice their opinions on the draft.
“As the Constituent Assembly is keen on relaying to the Egyptian people all different views and perspectives in complete transparency for them to decide what they deem best for the country, it invites you and the leaders of the national forces to present the objections to the draft constitution in a public dialogue,” the invitation said.
The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Shura Council.
The opposition has criticized the draft constitution for failing to preserve basic freedoms, promote social justice or inclusively represent Egyptian society. They argue it was authored by an Islamist-dominated body that does not reflect the diversity and the needs of the Egyptian people.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
