Bumping this thread just cause I think it's more relevant here
Egypt's highest court has ordered the country's Islamist-dominated parliament dissolved, saying its election about six months ago was unconstitutional.
The Supreme constitutional Court ruled Thursday that a third of the legislature was elected illegally. As a result, it says in its explanation of the ruling, "the makeup of the entire chamber is illegal and, consequently, it does not legally stand."
The explanation was carried by Egypt's official news agency and confirmed to The Associated Press by one of the court's judges, Maher Sami Youssef. The ruling means that new elections for the entire parliament will have to be held.
Earlier, the court ruled that Hosni Mubarak's last prime minister can stay in the presidential race. The ruling would allow Ahmed Shafiq to contest the presidential runoff on Saturday and Sunday against Islamist Mohammed Morsi despite a legislation banning old regime figures from running for office.
That whole thing sounds like a gigantic mess. The takeaway seems to be that it's basically a fight between the guys who kept Mubarak in power, versus the staunchly conservative group that was the only organized political opposition available. The kids who actually got out and fought to oust Mubarak don't have much of a say.
Egypt's ruling military council has vowed to hand over power to an elected president by the end of June.
The promise comes as votes are counted after Sunday's presidential run-off election, with both candidates claiming they are ahead in early results.
However, the council had earlier issued a declaration granting itself sweeping powers over legislation and the introduction of a new constitution
....the constitutional declaration issued by the Scaf late on Sunday effectively gives it legislative powers, control over the budget and over who writes the permanent constitution following mass street protests that toppled Mr Mubarak in February 2011.
It also strips the president of any authority over the army.
PaulNikon
Palm Bay, FL
February 2003
FEB 25, 2012 10:30 PM