Members of Egypt's Parliament meet to deliberate constitutional amendments that could allow President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to stay in office till 2034, in Cairo Egypt, Feb 13, 2019. (AP Photo)
CAIRO, Egypt — Egypt’s Parliament has overwhelmingly advanced constitutional changes to remove term limits for President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, allowing him to stay in power possibly until 2034.
The changes are part of a package of amendments that will be further examined before final approval in the chamber and a national referendum.
On Thursday, 485 lawmakers in the 596-seat body backed the amendments.
Parliament Speaker Ali Abdel-Al said they would now be discussed by the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee for 60 days before being put to a referendum.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, speaks during the inauguration of the massive Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital east of Cairo, January 6, 2019. (MOHAMED EL-SHAHED / AFP)
The national referendum will likely take place before early May, the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
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Critics of the move argue Egypt is slipping back into authoritarianism, eight years after a pro-democracy uprising ended autocrat Hosni Mubarak’s three-decade rule.
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