Egypt's Continuing Revolution: Month 19, Week 1, Day 4.

I have just finished a cursory reading of Egypt's proposed new constitution. Obviously it will take several more readings and some quiet contemplation before I'm able to form a full opinion. However it is immediately clear that this is a far stronger and improved document then the attempt that was made under Mohamed Morsi. For example it doesn't raise any immediate concern about the Islamification of Egypt or a threat to Egypt's religious minorities.

One area I am having great trouble understanding is the concept of an elected President, an elected Parliament (House of Representatives) and then a Government as a separate, unelected entity. That is not to say that there is anything right or indeed wrong about this model it's just I don't as yet understand it. Also my interpretation of the wording of Article 124 which states the national budget cannot incur new burdens on citizens is that it is impossible for any branch of government to ever raise taxes. Even the US Tea Party will agree that this will present a problem.

Hopefully over the coming days my understanding of the document will improve to the point where I am able to give a fuller opinion. However I think it is only right to raise for discussion the possibility of the constitutional draft being rejected at referendum so it can be sent back to committee for - say a further three months - so some of the kinks can be worked out. After all it would be better to delay things for a short time rather then to try to press ahead with a flawed constitution.


21:30 on 26/12/13 (UK date).