CAIRO: Anger and rejection in Egypt followed the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) new constitutional declaration, in which it granted itself back legislative power after the Egyptian parliament is expected to be dissolved. The Supreme Constitutional Court ruled last Thursday that one-third of parliament seats are void, as they had been reserved for independent candidates, but saw party affiliates win. The court also ruled to keep old regime loyalists and election finalist Ahmed Shafiq in the presidential race, after it argued the political isolation law, or “Azl”, was “unconstitutional.” The declaration grants back power to head of SCAF Hussein Tantawi, who is also the Minister of Defense. Egyptian activists are calling the moves a “military coup” and the deceleration “another step in cementing a lingering presence [of the military] and a hold over public life by the military.” The declaration states that the elected president will give his oath in front of the general assembly of the high constitutional court. Until Egyptians vote for another parliament, the SCAF will hold control of the country and its government. SCAF said they wish and aim to hand over power to an elected civil power, following the elections, yet they will remain at the top of the power chain until the legislative body is in place. The declaration states that the president cannot declare war before the approval of the council. In case of riots or national security issues, the president can call on the army to intervene to “protect public property and ensure stability.” The declaration has united Egyptians in rejecting it and the military junta, arguing that the SCAF are granting themselves uncontrolled power over the country Influential public figure Mohamed ElBaradie called it “a contentious for the militarization of the country and a lapse to the revolution.” Mahmoud Hussien, general coordinator and spokesman of the Muslim Brotherhood said “it could obstruct the new president from following his agenda.” Abdel Moneam Aboul Fotouh, a former presidential candidate, warned that the declaration is a “full military coup that must be confronted.”
