Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has appointed 100 new members to the Senate, fulfilling the provisions of Law No. 141 of 2020, which allows the head of state to appoint one-third of the upper house following the announcement of election results.
According to a presidential decree published in the Official Gazette, the appointments include a diverse mix of political, intellectual, and cultural figures representing various sectors of Egyptian society.
Among the new members are the chairman of the parliamentary group of the majority party, Mostaqbal Watan, as well as leaders of the Rally, Al-Gil, Free Egyptians, Nasserite, and Al-Masryeen parties.
The decree also includes the son of the late Dr. Ahmed Omar Hashim, former president of Al-Azhar University and member of the Center for Interfaith Dialogue, along with prominent actor Yasser Galal.
The presidential decision also reinforces women’s representation within the Senate. Fifteen women have been appointed, including Sahar Nasr, former Minister of Investment; Miral Al-Haridy, former vice-president of the Industry Committee in the Council of Deputies; and distinguished academics such as Dalia Al-Etreby, Amani Fakher, Ghada Al-Badawi, and Nourhan Al-Sheikh, who are recognized for their expertise in media and international relations.
Article 28 of the Senate Act stipulates the eligibility criteria for appointed members, specifying that nominees must meet the same conditions required of elected senators and must not have contested elections unsuccessfully. It also mandates that at least 10% of the seats be allocated to women, ensuring fair gender representation.
Senate elections were held in August, while legislative elections are scheduled for late November. With these latest appointments, the new composition of the Egyptian Senate is now complete, marking a significant step in the country’s ongoing process of institutional renewal and political inclusivity.
About The Author
