Egypt’s constitutional changes to tighten Sisi’s grip

Significance

Lawmakers on February 14 provisionally approved those changes, which could keep President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi in power until 2034. Additional proposals include measures that would expand the prerogatives of the executive and the military, limit judicial independence and dilute parliamentary opposition.

Impacts

• The amendments will allow Sisi to expand patronage networks in high-level positions.
• The military will expand its penetration of the economy, notably in megaprojects with international partnerships.
• Opportunities for voicing opposition, both from within institutions and at the popular level, will be further limited.
• Criticism of the proposed amendments will be met with violence and intimidation.