(Ecofin Agency) - About hundred Egyptian deputies submitted a constitutional amendment bill, on February 3, 2019, to allow Abdel Fattah al-Sissi (photo) to run for two more terms after his current mandate that should normally end in 2022.

The bill plans for an amendment of article 140 of the constitution to extend the presidential term from four to six years. A transitional provision will also bring the number of terms the current president has already served to zero. Al-Sissi will thus be allowed to run for two more terms after the current. This would allow him to rule till 2034. “After expiration of the current term, the country’s president can run again pursuant to the amended article 140”, the amendment bill read.

Abdel Fattah al-Sissi seized power by restituting, in 2013, the democratically elected president Mohammed Morsi who came from the muslim brotherhood. The former general was elected for a four year term the following year and was elected again for a new term that should end in 2022.  

The amendment also allows the president to nominate judges and prosecutors. A senate will also be created and the president will have the prerogative of designating one-third of its 250 members.

The amendments must be approved by two-thirds of the deputies before its adoption via a referendum.