Euro-parliament Speaker Calls for Pressure on Morsi

President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz has proposed severing economic and political cooperation between the EU and Egypt to put pressure on President Mohamed Morsi.

“The only thing that such a regime understands is economic pressure,” – he said in an interview for the German newspaper “FrankfurterAllgemeine Sonntagszeitung”.

 “The EU should make clear there can be no political or economic cooperation with it until Egypt has a pluralistic democracy,” – he stressed. “We cannot approve of a coup,” – said the German Social Democrat.

 Schultz also expressed concern over developments in Egypt, stressing that “Europe should consider with all seriousness the appetite this man has for power”.

 On Friday, the Constitutional Commission of Egypt, dominated by Islamists, approved a draft constitution which the Egyptian opposition perceives as a violation of freedom of religion and freedom of speech.

 Morsi urged Egyptians to vote on December 15th for the draft constitution that has effectually split the country.

 Egypt to hold December referendum on new constitution

 President Mohammed Morsi has said Egypt’s new draft constitution will be put to a referendum on 15 December.

 He made the announcement before the Islamist-dominated constituent assembly, which rushed to approve the document earlier in the week.

 Both the draft constitution and a recent decree giving Morsi sweeping new powers have prompted widespread protests by opponents of the president.

 The final draft of the 234 – article constitution was approved by the Constitutional Commission and submitted to the President for signature.

 However, his Islamist supporters held their own demonstrations on Saturday.

 After receiving a copy of the document, Morsi called on “all Egyptians” to take part in the referendum, whether or not they agree with the draft.

 If approved, the new text will overwrite all constitutional declarations – including Morsi’s decree issued on the 22 November – and a new parliament should be elected within 60 days.