Nationwide campaign to promote constitutional amendments commences
Nationwide campaign to promote constitutional amendments commences: The front pages of the three largest state-owned newspapers are a mixed bag this morning now that the EU-Arab League summit is over and done with. Topping coverage in Al Ahram is the launch of a nationwide campaign by “55,000 civil society organizations” and some NGOs to “promote awareness” on the necessity of the constitutional amendments that would extend presidential terms in office. The newspaper is framing the story as part of a “national dialogue” on the amendments. The amendments are currently with the House of Representatives Legislative Committee, which will formally draft the proposed amendments, which will then go through reading and debate ahead of a vote in the general assembly, where they must be approved by at least two-thirds of the House. Once parliament signs off, the president would be required to call a referendum.
“Egypt warns against the use of human rights to score political points,” was the leading headline in the front page of Al Akhbar, which was a veritable cornucopia of stories that covered defense, Rami Malek’s Egyptian identity, and a random piece on African students praising Egypt. Al Gomhuria focused on a talk with Defense Minister Mohamed Zaki on operations in Sinai.