Government and Politics

According to its 1971 constitution, Egypt is a “democratic, socialist state,” but in effect it’s neither democratic nor overly socialist. It is more of an election-legitimated authoritarian regime. The president serves a six-year term and can be reelected for additional terms. He appoints the vice president and ministers. Since the 1952 revolution, successions to the presidency have happened only when Gamal Abd an-Nasser died in 1970, and then when his successor Anwar as-Sadat was assassinated in 1981. The legislative branch consists of the 444-member People’s Assembly, half of whom must be workers or peasants (in theory, anyway), and 30 of whom must be women. This assembly ratifies all laws and the national budget. All males over 18 and those women on the register of voters may participate in the election. Despite the regime’s ultimate authority (the assembly is very much a rubber-stamp body), Egypt is among the most liberal Arab countries.

Like that of his predecessor, President Hosni Mubarak’s government has been challenged repeatedly by Islamists. Mubarak’s inauguration followed the assassination of Sadat by militants whose aim was to overthrow the Egyptian government and establish an Islamic republic in its place.