Egypt journos voice opposition to constitutional change

ISTANBUL (AA) - Egyptian journalists on Monday began collecting signatures for a petition against a proposed constitutional change that would extend presidential terms from four to six years.

On Sunday, the Support Egypt Coalition, Egypt's largest parliamentary bloc, lodged an official request with the assembly to amend the country's national charter.

The coalition, which holds 317 out of 596 parliamentary seats, also reportedly wants to amend the constitution to allow the formation of an upper house of parliament.

Supporters of Egypt’s regime have expressed support for the move, which, they say, would contribute to the country’s “stability”.

Opponents of the move, by contrast, including many journalists, say the proposed changes -- if implemented -- would “set the country back years”.

Ratified in 2014, Egypt’s current constitution states that “texts pertaining to the re-election of the president… or the principles of freedom and equality stipulated in the constitution, may not be amended, unless the amendment brings more guarantees”.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was elected in the same year the new charter was ratified -- and one year after leading a military coup against his predecessor, Mohamed Morsi.

In June of last year, al-Sisi was re-elected to a second presidential term, which is set to expire in 2022.

According to the constitution in its current form, al-Sisi cannot run for a third term in office.

The presidency has yet to comment on the proposed constitutional adjustments, but al-Sisi has said in previous televised remarks that he had no intention to run for a third term.