Egypt MPS back rule of president until 2030

Egypt’s parliament has approved amendments for president Abdel-fattah elsissi to remain in power until 2030.

The move was seen by critics as another step back to authoritarianism – eight years after a pro-democracy uprising ended autocrat Hosni Mubarak’s threedecade rule.

Mr el-sissi is due to stand down in 2022 when his second four-year term ends.

The amendments voted through by the 596-member assembly yesterday will now be put to a referendum within 30 days, likely before early next month when the Muslim holy month of Ramadan starts. If backed, the changes would lengthen Mr el-sissi’s existing term to six years and allow him to stand for one more.

In recent weeks, the egyptian capital Cairo has been awash with large posters and banners encouraging people to vote in favour of the changes.

Mr el-sissi was first elected president in 2014. He was re-elected last year after winning 97 per cent of the vote.