The Freedom and Justice Party's parliamentary body has selected Essam al-Erian as the majority leader in the Shura Council.
Essam al-Erian, vice chairman of the FJP, is replacing Ali Fath al-Bab in the position.
Al-Erian announced the change on his Facebook page Sunday. He was selected by the FJP's parliamentary body in meeting late Saturday.
Under the new Constitution, which passed with a 64 percent "yes" vote in the national referendum held earlier this month, the upper house of Parliament, also known as the Shura Council, will hold legislative powers until the House of Representatives — the lower chamber — is elected.
The Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist parties occupy the majority of seats in the Shura Council.
“My party brothers, the party’s executive office and parliamentary bloc have tasked me with a heavy burden, and I ask God for his support. I stretch my hand to all council blocs to cooperate in carrying out all difficult missions”, he wrote.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
