Government

Egypt is governed under the constitution of 1971 as amended. Executive power is held by the president, who is elected by popular vote for a six-year term, with no term limits. There is a bicameral legislature. The People's Assembly has 454 seats; 444 members are elected by popular vote and 10 are appointed by the president. All serve 5-year terms. The Advisory Council, with 264 seats, has 176 elected members and 88 who are appointed by the president. Members serve six-year terms and act only in a consultative role. The government must approve the formation of political parties, effectively assuring its monopoly on political power. Parties based on religion are illegal, but the largest one, the Muslim Brotherhood, has been permitted to operate openly at times. Administratively, Egypt is divided into 26 governorates.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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