Nominated for Deletion
Regards, FirstStooge (talk) 09:24, 6 January 2025 (UTC) |
Central Parliament of the United Kingdom of Egypt | |
---|---|
106th Djadjat | |
Flag of Parliament | |
Type | |
Type | Bicameral |
Houses |
|
Established | 18 September 1525 |
Leadership | |
Sihathor IV since 9 September 2048 | |
Heqa Pershepsu (Lord Speaker) |
Marquess Djehutyhotep VI of Ta Sefet since 18 March 2052 |
Heqa Pernedjes (Speaker) |
Pasherienanhur Senerwyhani since 18 March 2052 |
Amenhotep VI, Conservative since 18 September 2045 | |
Leader of the Opposition |
Simut Merywaherkaibra, Modern since 2 November 2050 |
Structure | |
Nobles political groups |
166 Landed Nobles 394 Robe Nobles 23 Clerics 54 Conservative Life Peers 30 Modern Peers 15 Liberal Peers 2 Freedom Peers |
Commons political groups |
580 Conservative 183 Modern 101 Liberal 35 Freedom 15 Development 12 Homeland 10 Society 14 Liberal Democrats |
Elections | |
Commons last election |
17 July 2050 |
Commons next election |
No later than July 17, 2055 |
Meeting place | |
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New Parliament Sesostria, Egypt | |
Website | |
www.djadjat.kt |
The Parliament of Egypt is the bicameral legislature of the United Kingdom of Egypt. It consists of two chambers: the House of Nobles (Pershepsu) as the upper house and the House of Commons (Pernedjes) as the lower house. The Parliament convenes in Per-Senusret, the nation's capital. Under the Constitution of 1525, the Parliament serves as the legislative branch of the Egyptian state. Its responsibilities include enacting laws, approving the general policies of the state, overseeing economic and social development plans, and determining the state's budget. It also supervises government activities and holds the authority to dissolve the government, including dismissing the Prime Minister through a vote of no confidence. The Egyptian Parliament comprises 950 seats in the house of commons and 684 seats in the house of Nobles, making it the second-largest legislative chamber globally after China's National People's Congress and the largest in the Middle East.
The House of Commons is the elected lower chamber of Parliament. It consists of 718 members elected from single-member constituencies and 232 members elected from two-member administrative divisions. Elections are held at least every five years using a preferential voting system. Members of the House of Commons are tasked with representing their constituents, proposing legislation, and debating government policies.
The House of Nobles, is the upper chamber of Parliament, is made up of two categories of members: Lords Noble: the largest group which includes hereditary peers, whose titles pass down through family lines, and life peers, who are appointed by the Sovereign, mostly on the advice of the Prime Minister. Life peerages are typically granted in recognition of significant contributions to society, the arts, or politics. Lords Religious This group comprises 14 High Priests representing the Egyptian clergy. Additionally, there are three representatives each for the minority religious communities of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
History[]
The Parliament of Egypt was established in 1524 by Pharaoh Senusret VIII as part of the implementation of his Constitution of 1525. The original Parliament comprised 55 members in the House of Nobles and 100 representatives in the House of Commons. At its inception, only an estimated 3% of the Egyptian population—primarily wealthy landowners and high-ranking officials—were eligible to vote.
For the next century, the structure of Parliament remained relatively unchanged. However, the institution faced a significant existential threat during the reign of Dedumose VIII. Following the contentious succession dispute after the death of Nebiriau VIII, Parliament incurred the wrath of the Pharaoh, who ignored the institution for most of his 35-year reign. This period marked one of the greatest challenges to parliamentary authority. However, Senusret IX, Dedumose VIII's successor, restored the Parliament upon his accession, reestablishing its role and fostering a cordial relationship between the Crown and the legislature.
The Era of Transformation (1740–1840)[]
The most significant changes to Parliament occurred during the Hundred-Year Reform Period (1740–1840):
- Formation of Political Parties Initially, political parties emerged as informal alliances among Members of Parliament (MPs). However, by the 1784 election, Egypt witnessed the direct election of its first Prime Minister by popular vote, signifying the maturation of parliamentary democracy.
- Enlargements and Territorial Expansion
- In 1767, Egypt annexed Egyptian Yemen, resulting in the first major expansion of parliamentary representation.
- Under Amenemhat XI, the radical democratization reform of 1780 expanded the electorate from 5% to an unprecedented 78% of the population, granting broader voting rights to previously excluded social groups, including women making Egypt the first country to allow women to vote.
- Following the Union of Punt (1810) and the 1821 conquest of Nubia, Parliament experienced further growth. By 1830, its size had quadrupled.
- Recognizing this growth, Pharaoh Senusret XI commissioned a new parliamentary building on the outskirts of Sesostria (modern Per-Senusret). The old building was repurposed as the Museum of Law.
20th-Century Developments[]
During the 20th century, Parliament saw three major developments, crucial in shaping Egypt’s modern political landscape:
- Party Ban (1900s) The Servants of Light Party, a fascist organization, was banned throughout the Double Crown's dominions by royal decree with the support of both houses of Parliament.
- The Great Depression (1929) During the Great Depression, Pharaoh Amenemhat XII suspended the Constitution, reducing Parliament to an advisory role. Although elections for MPs continued, the Prime Minister became a royal appointee, and Amenemhat XII exercised his prerogative to expel MPs.
- Restoration of Democracy (1950) Full democratic rule was restored by Pharaoh Merenptah VIII, reestablishing Parliament’s authority and returning the role of the Prime Minister to parliamentary election.
Modern Parliament[]
By the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the Parliament had grown considerably. The Parliament building commissioned by Senusret XI became insufficient to accommodate its members. In 2010, Pharaoh Tutankhamun VI initiated the construction of a new, larger parliamentary complex, which was completed in 2035 under Pharaoh Ahmose VIII.
In 2038, Ahmose VIII implemented reforms to cap the number of MPs, limiting the House of Commons to 950 members and the House of Nobles to 670 members, citing the challenges of managing a legislative body with 1,620 members. He declared the existing size sufficient for effective governance and representation.
Composition and Power[]
Under the Egyptian constitution, Parliament is the supreme legislative body of the state. While the Privy Council can also issue legislation through orders-in-council, this power may be limited by Parliament, as with all other exercises of the royal prerogative.
The legislative authority, the King-in-Parliament, has three distinct elements: the Monarch, the House of Nobles, and the House of Commons. Consequently, a bill must be passed by both Houses and receive royal assent to become law.
Executive powers (including those granted by legislation or forming part of the prerogative) are not formally exercised by Parliament. However, these powers are, in practice, exercised on the advice of government ministers, who must be drawn from and be accountable to Parliament.
Monarch[]
Although the monarch is a constitutive element of Parliament, they do not debate bills or otherwise contribute to political debate. Their royal assent is required for a bill to become law.
House of Nobles[]
The House of Nobles is formally known as "The Honourable Lords Spiritual and Noble in Parliament Assembled". The Lords Spiritual are religious leaders from various Egyptian clergy and other religious groups, while the Lords Temporal are Peers of the Realm. The Lords Spiritual and Lords Temporal are considered separate "estates," but they sit, debate, and vote together.
Since the passage of the Reform Acts of 1784 and 1906, the legislative powers of the House of Nobles have been reduced in favor of the House of Commons. While the Nobles debate and vote on all bills (except money bills), their refusal to pass a bill can only delay its passage for a maximum of two parliamentary sessions (over one year). After this period, the bill may receive royal assent and become law without the Nobles' consent.
Like the House of Commons, the House of Nobles scrutinizes the government by questioning ministers who sit in the Lords and through the operation of a small number of select committees.
Lords Spiritual[]
The Lords Spiritual currently consist of:
- The high priests of Amun, Anhur, Anubis, Bastet, Hathor, Horus, Isis, Nephthys, Osiris, Ptah, Ra, Seth, Sobek, and Thoth.
- The Patriarch of Alexandria.
- The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa.
- The Coptic Catholic Patriarch of Alexandria.
- The Rabbi of Alexandria, the Rabbi of Avaris, and the Rabbi of Iunet.
- The Imam of Nizari Ismaili, the Imam of Nubt, and the Imam of Mendes.
This totals 23 members.
Lords Noble[]
The Lords Temporal consists of:
- 560 hereditary peers: All hereditary peers are members of the House of Nobles for life. However, under the 1952 Age Limit Act, peers older than 75 must delegate their powers to their heirs, though they remain nominally in power for life.
- 101 life peers: Life peers are appointed by the monarch, mostly on the advice of the prime minister, but also at the king’s discretion. These peers are typically aligned with the prime minister's party, though some are selected from other parties.
House of Commons[]
As of 2050, the House consists of 950 members, including:
- The Speaker, who renounces partisan affiliation and does not participate in debates or votes.
- Three Deputy Speakers, who do not participate in debates or votes but formally retain party membership.
Members are chosen from:
- 718 single-member electoral districts.
- 232 two-member administrative divisions.
Elections are conducted using a preferential voting system. Each constituency represents an average of 331,841 voters. Voters rank candidates in order of preference, and the candidate with the most votes in each constituency is elected as an MP. Members serve a maximum of five years and may be re-elected for one additional term. After serving two terms, MPs must wait five years before running again.
A party must win 476 constituencies or districts (seats) to achieve a majority in the House. If no party wins a majority, the resulting Hung Parliament allows the largest party to form a coalition exceeding the 476-seat threshold.
The House of Commons is the most powerful branch of Parliament due to its sole authority to determine taxation and government funding. The prime minister and leader of the government must sit in the House of Commons, having gained this position through the popular vote. Consequently, the House is the primary location for government scrutiny, expressed through Interrogation Time and the work of various select committees.
State Opening of Parliament[]
The State Opening of Parliament is an annual event that marks the commencement of a new session of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It is a ceremonial occasion steeped in tradition and symbolism, held in the Hall of Horus. The event typically takes place in December, except in an election year, when it occurs in October.
The ceremony begins with the arrival of the monarch, who travels on horseback to the parliamentary buildings. Upon arrival, the monarch proceeds to the Hall of Horus. This grand chamber serves as the central venue for the event. Once inside the chamber, the monarch signals the Serjeant-at-Arms, who is tasked with summoning the members of the House of Nobles, the House of Commons, and the Judges of the Supreme Court to assemble in the Hall of Horus. With the gathered assembly in attendance, the monarch reads selected quotes from Senusret VIII, who is credited with establishing the first parliament, and Amenemhat XI, who is recognized for introducing democratic principles. The ceremony also incorporates ancient traditions. The monarch summons the High Priest of Amun, who presents a statue of the goddess Maat, symbolizing truth and cosmic order. The monarch then asks all those present to swear an oath to uphold the constitution, adhere to the law, and preserve the cosmic order.
The centerpiece of the ceremony is the Speech from the Throne, delivered by the monarch but prepared by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. This speech outlines the Government's legislative agenda and policy priorities for the upcoming year. It serves as a blueprint for the legislative work of both Houses of Parliament.
At the conclusion of the speech, the monarch presents the Prime Minister with the signet ring and the Mace of Narmer, symbols of authority and trust. The Prime Minister then swears an oath to:
- Remain loyal to the monarch and their heirs.
- Uphold the constitution.
- Maintain the unity of the realm.
After the monarch departs, each Chamber deliberates on an "Address in Reply to His Majesty's Sublime Speech." This debate provides an opportunity for members of the Government and the Opposition to express their views on the proposed legislative agenda.
Legislative Procedure[]
Egypt’s Parliament consists of two houses: the House of Commons and the House of Nobles. Each house is presided over by its respective speaker—the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Lord Speaker of the House of Nobles.
In the House of Commons, the election of the Speaker requires the formal approval of the Sovereign. While this approval is a constitutional requirement, it is always granted by convention. In the absence of the Speaker, their duties may be performed by the Vice Speaker, the First Deputy Chairman, or the Second Deputy Chairman. The Speaker of the House of Commons is expected to maintain strict impartiality. By convention, they do not vote unless there is a tie, in which case the Speaker casts the deciding vote. Discipline and procedural rulings are the sole responsibility of the Speaker. Members address their speeches directly to the Speaker, using titles such as "Mr. Speaker" or "Madam Speaker."
The House of Nobles is presided over by the Lord Speaker, but the house maintains a significant degree of self-governance. Unlike the Commons, decisions on points of order and disciplinary actions are taken collectively by the entire house. Members of the House of Nobles address their speeches to the assembly as a whole using the phrase "My Lords." The Lord Speaker participates in voting alongside other Lords, reflecting the absence of a non-partisan convention similar to that of the Commons.
Both houses primarily conduct votes electronically. Members cast their votes by pressing a green button to approve or a red button to reject. The results are displayed on panels at the back of each chamber, and the presiding officer announces the outcome. However, members may challenge the result of an electronic vote and request a written vote, referred to as a "vote of confidence." Parliamentary proceedings in both houses are typically conducted in public. Visitors may observe the debates and discussions from designated galleries within the chambers.
Duration of Parliament[]
Initially, there was no fixed limit on the length of a Parliament in [country]. However, the Parliament Duration Act 1564 established a maximum term of five years. To address the inconvenience of irregular elections, the Term Limits Act 1784 introduced renewable five-year terms. Under this law, Members of Parliament (MPs) could serve for one term and seek re-election after a one-term break, effectively barring consecutive terms for individual MPs.
During the suspension of Parliament between 1930 and 1950, an exception was made: MPs were permitted to serve for three consecutive terms, allowing a potential total service duration of 15 years. This amendment aimed to ensure legislative continuity during a period of political instability.
With the restoration of constitutional rule in 1950, the previous term limits were reinstated. Parliaments resumed the five-year term structure, with each electoral cycle regarded as a new Parliament, even if all members from the previous Parliament retained their seats.
Legislative Functions[]
The legislative process within the Empire operates under a federalized system, allowing for laws to be enacted by the Imperial Parliament while recognizing the autonomy of constituent states. Acts of the Imperial Parliament can apply across the entire Empire, but due to federalization, consultation with regional parliaments is required before implementation. Regional parliaments retain the power to revise or complement central acts through their own legislation.
Types of Bills[]
Laws begin as draft proposals called bills, which can be introduced in either House of Parliament:
- Government Bills: Introduced by Ministers.
- Private Members' Bills: Proposed by members who are not Ministers.
- Public Bills: Relate to public matters and apply generally.
- Private Bills: Grant rights to specific individuals, groups, or local authorities.
- Hybrid Bills: Public bills with provisions affecting private rights.
Private Members' Bills constitute the majority of introduced legislation but have a lower success rate compared to Government Bills. There are three methods to introduce Private Members' Bills:
- Private Members' Ballot: A lottery system allocates time for members to propose bills.
- Fifteen-Minute Rule: MPs outline their proposed legislation in a brief speech.
- Promulgation: Bills are introduced via public notice pinned to a green board.
Filibustering, a delaying tactic, was banned by Pharaoh Merenptah VIII, who deemed it disruptive and wasteful.
Legislative Stages[]
Each bill undergoes several stages in both Houses:
- First Reading: A procedural formality without debate.
- Second Reading: General principles are debated, and a vote is taken on the motion: "That the Bill be now read a second time."
- Committee Stage: Detailed examination clause by clause. In the House of Nobles, the entire House serves as the House Assembly for significant legislation, although smaller Select Committees may occasionally be used. The Speaker or committee chairman may restrict amendments and debates under procedural rules.
- Report Stage: Further detailed consideration and selection of amendments by the Speaker.
- Third Reading: Final approval of the bill. No further amendments are allowed in the House of Commons, but the House of Nobles may still propose changes.
If both Houses pass a bill in identical form, it proceeds for Sovereign Assent. If disagreements arise, they must be resolved; in critical cases, Royal Mediation convenes both Houses before the monarch in the Hall of Horus to debate the bill further.
Limitations and Special Provisions[]
Since the Equity Act 1796 and the Parliament Act 1903, the House of Nobles' ability to reject bills has been curtailed:
- A public bill rejected by the Lords in two successive sessions can still proceed to Sovereign Assent if passed by the Commons three times.
- Money Bills (focused solely on taxation or public funds) bypass the Lords if not passed within a month of Commons approval.
The Lords may not introduce or amend bills related to taxation or Supply, though the Commons may waive this privilege on occasion.
Sovereign Assent[]
The Sovereign may grant or withhold Royal Assent, effectively making or vetoing a bill. Modern practice almost always sees Royal Assent granted. Upon granting assent, the Sovereign’s decree is read in both Houses, beginning: “It is His Majesty the King’s wish and decree that this bill shall be implemented.” If assent is withheld, the bill is returned with the phrase: “His Majesty will consider the proposal upon further revision.” The last refusal of assent occurred in 1955.
Conclusion[]
All laws require the approval of the three components of Parliament—Commons, Lords, and Sovereign—except in cases where the Parliament Acts override the Lords. The formal enactment begins with:"BE IT ENACTED by the by the wish and authority of the Living Horus his most Excellent Majesty the King our sovereign lord, by decree and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and representatives of his people, in this present session".
Relationship with the Egyptian Government[]
The Egyptian Government is accountable to the House of Commons. However, neither the Prime Minister nor members of the Government are directly elected by the House of Commons. Instead, the Prime Minister is chosen through a direct popular vote and subsequently appoints cabinet ministers. Governments often exert significant influence over the legislative functions of Parliament. By leveraging their majority in the House of Commons, they can pass legislation within constitutional limits, unless substantial dissent arises within the governing party. In cases of widespread public discontent or highly controversial bills, legislation may be referred to a public referendum.
Parliament exercises control over the executive by approving or rejecting bills and by holding Ministers of the Crown accountable for their actions. This occurs during Question Time or in meetings of parliamentary committees, where ministers are required to answer questions posed by members of their respective houses.
Although the House of Nobles also scrutinizes the executive through Question Time and its committees, it cannot dismiss the Government. A ministry must retain the confidence of the House of Commons to govern. The Lower House may express a lack of support by rejecting a Motion of Confidence or passing a Motion of No Confidence. Confidence motions are usually initiated by the Government to reinforce its legitimacy, whereas no-confidence motions are introduced by the Opposition. These motions often take the form, "That this House has [no] confidence in this administration," although variations referencing specific policies or actions are also used.
For instance, a 1992 Confidence Motion stated: "That this House expresses support for the moral character of this administration." While similar motions could theoretically be introduced in the House of Nobles, they lack the same significance, as the Government is not required to hold the confidence of that chamber.
Important bills central to the Government's agenda, such as those outlined in the Speech from the Throne, are typically treated as matters of confidence. Defeating such a bill in the House of Commons signifies a loss of confidence. Similarly, if the Commons rejects the budget—referred to as "withdrawing Supply"—the Government loses the authority to tax and spend public funds.
When a Government loses the confidence of the House of Commons, the Prime Minister must either resign, seek resolution of the conflict or seek the dissolution of Parliament for a general election. If neither action is taken, the machinery of government risks grinding to a halt within days.
In rare instances where a Prime Minister losing confidence requests a dissolution, the monarch may reject the request under the constitutional principle known as the King’s Prerogative. In such cases, the Leader of the Opposition may be invited to form a new government. These scenarios are governed by constitutional conventions and the Sovereign's reserve powers, which are codified in law.
The House of Commons’ scrutiny of the Government is particularly robust due to the preferential electoral system, which encourages individual members to vote independently. Votes are conducted in secret to protect MPs from undue influence. Members of the ruling party are required to submit their positions on proposed bills in written form to the Speaker. To preserve secrecy, all submissions—including those without reservations—must adhere to strict formatting rules, such as identical fonts and paper styles. This ensures anonymity and fosters open deliberation within the party.
Parliamentary Questions[]
House of Commons[]
In the Egyptian realm, question time in the House of Commons takes place for three hours daily from Monday to Thursday. The schedule is as follows:
- Monday: 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
- Tuesday and Wednesday: 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Thursday: 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Each government department is allocated a slot in a rotating schedule that repeats every five weeks. During this time, members of parliament (MPs) or citizens may question proposed bills. Citizens can either submit their queries through a formal application process or attend and pose their questions in person at the parliament building. This practice ensures transparency and public participation in the legislative process.
House of Nobles[]
In the House of Nobles, a two-hour period is designated at the start of each day’s proceedings for oral questions. Questions must be submitted in advance and are listed on the day’s Order Paper. The peer posing the question begins by stating:The relevant government Minister then provides a response. Following this, the peer may ask a supplementary question, and other peers are permitted to pose related questions. These supplementary questions often broaden the scope of the discussion. For example, if the original question pertains to immigration, peers may ask any additional immigration-related questions during the allocated time."My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper."
This structured format facilitates rigorous debate and scrutiny of government policies within both houses of Parliament.
Historical Elections[]
Diagram | Year | Government | Seats |
---|---|---|---|
2045 | Conservative | 565 Conservative 146 Modern 146 Liberal 39 Freedom 15 Development 8 Homeland 11 Society 20 Liberal Democrats | |
2040 | Conservative | 543 Conservative 174 Modern 151 Liberal 37 Freedom 17 Development 3 Homeland 7 Society 18 Liberal Democrats | |
2035 | Conservative | 508 Conservative 300 Modern 88 Liberal 21 Freedom 10 Development 5 Homeland 5 Society 13 Liberal Democrats | |
2030 | Conservative | 535 Conservative 213 Modern 142 Liberal 20 Freedom 15 Development 10 Homeland 4 Society 11 Liberal Democrats | |
2025 | Conservative | 522 Conservative 216 Modern 165 Liberal 12 Freedom 11 Development 3 Homeland 10 Society 11 Liberal Democrats | |
2020 | Conservative | 510 Conservative 103 Modern 300 Liberal 11 Freedom 9 Development 4 Homeland 3 Society 10 Liberal Democrats | |
2015 | Conservative | 507 Conservative 228 Modern 157 Liberal 0 Freedom 20 Development 5 Homeland 11 Society 12 Liberal Democrats | |
2010 | Conservative | 500 Conservative 200 Modern 195 Liberal 0 Freedom 13 Development 9 Homeland 2 Society 21 Liberal Democrats | |
2005 | Conservative-Modern | 386 Conservative 177 Modern 320 Liberal 0 Freedom 18 Development 7 Homeland 1 Society 6 Liberal Democrats | |
2000 | Modern-Liberal | 257 Conservative 386 Modern 237 Liberal 0 Freedom 4 Development 15 Homeland 1 Society 15 Liberal Democrats | |
1995 | Conservative-Liberal | 372 Conservative 370 Modern 147 Liberal 0 Freedom 7 Development 4 Homeland 1 Society 14 Liberal Democrats | |
1990 | Freedom | 113 Conservative 80 Modern 31 Liberal 646 Freedom 14 Development 12 Homeland 4 Society 10 Liberal Democrats | |
1985 | Modern-Freedom | 181 Conservative 392 Modern 10 Liberal 300 Freedom 6 Development 5 Homeland 3 Society 13 Liberal Democrats | |
1980 | Conservative-Development-Liberal Democrat | 435 Conservative 300 Modern 18 Liberal 113 Freedom 12 Development 9 Homeland 1 Society 9 Liberal Democrats | |
1975 | Conservative-Liberal-Development-Liberal Democrat | 427 Conservative 210 Modern 15 Liberal 216 Freedom 10 Development 8 Homeland 1 Society 8 Liberal Democrats | |
The Largest Parliament, a miscalculation led to the election of the biggest and most chaotic parliament in egyptian history, due to the many issues observed with the institution during this period Pharaoh Merneptah VIII, ordered that future parliamentary elections would have a pre-set number of seats a year before the election | |||
1950 | Conservative-Modern | 722 Conservative 483 Modern 208 Liberal 482 Freedom 98 Development 73 Homeland 19 Society 115 Liberal Democrats |