Egypt’s parliament Holds Its First Session After Morsi’s Decree

Egypt parliament is prepared to convene following a decree by President Mohamed Morsi to reinstate the assembly dissolved by the Supreme Constitutional Court last month.

Parliament Speaker Saad al-Katatni has asked the elected lawmakers to come together in parliament at 2:00 pm (1200 GMT) on Tuesday. 

A new showdown loomed in Egypt as the country’s highest court demanded Morsi reverse his decision to reopen parliament or face “painful measures.” 

“All the rulings and decisions of the Supreme Constitutional Court are final and not subject to appeal… and are binding for all state institutions,” said the court on Monday. 

President Morsi, however, ordered Parliament Speaker Saad el-Katatny to convene a meeting of parliament on Tuesday. 

People gathered in Tahrir Square on Monday to voice support for Morsi’s decision. 

The Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) also underlined the “importance of the constitution in light of the latest developments.” 

Egypt’s military and judicial authorities are further set to hold emergency talks to discuss how to respond to the president’s order. 

On June 14, Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court ordered the dissolution of the parliament, ruling that one third of the parliamentary seats were “illegitimate.” 

Following the ruling, Egypt’s general assumed legislative power, took control of the state budget and gave itself veto power on a new constitution, making the new president almost powerless through a recent constitutional declaration. 

Protests have been going on since the junta dissolved the country’s parliament dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood.