The Latest: Egypt amendments pass, now set for referendum

CAIRO – The Latest on amendments to Egypt’s constitution (all times local):

6:40 p.m.

Egypt’s parliament has passed proposed amendments to the constitution that could see President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi remain in power until 2030.

The country’s state-run MENA news agency says the 596-member assembly, backed by el-Sissi supporters, gave its final approval on Tuesday.

The amendments now face a national referendum, likely before early May when the Muslim holy month of Ramadan starts.

The proposals would only extend a president’s term in office from four to six years. But they include a special article to extend el-Sissi’s current, second term to six years and allow him to run for another six-year term in 2024.

Critics of the move argue that Egypt is slipping back into authoritarianism, eight years after a pro-democracy uprising ended autocrat Hosni Mubarak’s three-decade rule.

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10:35 a.m.

Egypt’s parliament is holding the last debate on proposed amendments to the constitution that could see President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi remain in power until 2030.

Tuesday’s session comes ahead of a final vote by lawmakers on the changes to the 2014 charter, before the amendments are put on a national referendum, likely before early May when the Muslim holy month of Ramadan starts.

The proposals would only extend a president’s term in office from four to six years. But they include a special article to extend el-Sissi’s current, second term to six years and allow him to run for another six-year term in 2024.

Critics of the move argue that Egypt is slipping back into authoritarianism, eight years after a pro-democracy uprising ended autocrat Hosni Mubarak’s three-decade rule.