1923 Constitution of Egypt
Encyclopedia
The 1923 Constitution was a constitution of Egypt
during the period 1923-1952. It was replaced by the 1930 Constitution for a 5-year period (1930–1935) before being restored in 1935. It adopted the parliamentary representative system based on separation of and cooperation among authorities. The Parliament of Egypt
was bicameral system made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
, the Egyptian Revolution broke out in 1919 calling for liberty, independence and democracy. This revolution resulted in the 28 February 1922 declaration
which recognized Egypt as an independent country (with some reservations) and terminated Egypt as a British protectorate.
Based on this new status, a new Egyptian Constitution was promulgated in April 1923 by a 30-member legislative committee that included representatives of political parties, as well as national movement leaders.
and the Legislative was based on the principle of control and balance of powers. It made the Cabinet accountable to the parliament, which had the right to move no confidence vote, while giving the King
the right to dissolve parliament
. However, it gave the parliament the right to convene in case it was not called to sit according to the scheduled date.
As for the House of Representatives the constitution stated that all its members were to be elected, for a 5-year term. On the other hand, three fifths of the Senate members were elected, and the rest were appointed. The constitution also adopted the principle of equal competences for the two branches, with some exceptions.
The number of members was increased from time to time. The House of Representatives, for example, had 214 members in the period 1924-1930, then became 235.The number decreased under the 1923 Constitution which continued in effect from 1931-1934 to become 150. It increased once again under the 1923 Constitution to become 232 for the period from 1936-1938. Then the number of members became 264 from 1938- 1949. Then it was increased to 319 in 1950 and continued as such up till the 1952 revolution.
The parliament
established by the 1923 Constitution was an advanced step along the course of democracy and representation in Egypt. However, practice was mixed with numerous negative aspects. Political life in the period 1923-1952 varied between tides of limited popular democracy and ebbs due to intervention by occupation forces and the palace, which led to the dissolution of parliament ten times. Moreover, a new constitution was issued in 1930, and lasted for five years. This was a setback to democratic life until the 1923 constitution was restored in 1935.
Thus, constitutional conditions deteriorated due to internal and external reasons. This deterioration was reflected in a state of political and governmental instability to the extent that Egypt had developed 40 cabinets in the period 1923-1952.
History of the Egyptian Constitution
The Egyptian Constitution has passed over a long period of evolution from the liberal constitution of 1923 to the contemporary constitution.-Ancient Egypt:Egypt is known for having one of the earliest administrative and legislative codes in history...
during the period 1923-1952. It was replaced by the 1930 Constitution for a 5-year period (1930–1935) before being restored in 1935. It adopted the parliamentary representative system based on separation of and cooperation among authorities. The Parliament of Egypt
Parliament of Egypt
The Parliament of Egypt is the currently dissolved bicameral legislature of Egypt. The Parliament is located in Cairo, Egypt's capital. As the legislative branch of the Egyptian government, the Parliament enacts laws, approves the general policy of the State, the general plan for economic and...
was bicameral system made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
History
After the end of World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, the Egyptian Revolution broke out in 1919 calling for liberty, independence and democracy. This revolution resulted in the 28 February 1922 declaration
Unilateral Declaration of Egyptian Independence
The Unilateral Declaration of Egyptian Independence was issued by the government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland on 28 February 1922...
which recognized Egypt as an independent country (with some reservations) and terminated Egypt as a British protectorate.
Based on this new status, a new Egyptian Constitution was promulgated in April 1923 by a 30-member legislative committee that included representatives of political parties, as well as national movement leaders.
Characteristics
The parliamentary representative system that was adopted ensured that the relationship between the ExecutiveExecutive (government)
Executive branch of Government is the part of government that has sole authority and responsibility for the daily administration of the state bureaucracy. The division of power into separate branches of government is central to the idea of the separation of powers.In many countries, the term...
and the Legislative was based on the principle of control and balance of powers. It made the Cabinet accountable to the parliament, which had the right to move no confidence vote, while giving the King
King of Egypt
King of Egypt was the title used by the ruler of Egypt between 1922 and 1951. When the United Kingdom ended its protectorate over Egypt on 28 February 1922, Egypt's Sultan Fouad I issued a decree on 15 March 1922 whereby he adopted the title of King of Egypt...
the right to dissolve parliament
Parliament
A parliament is a legislature, especially in those countries whose system of government is based on the Westminster system modeled after that of the United Kingdom. The name is derived from the French , the action of parler : a parlement is a discussion. The term came to mean a meeting at which...
. However, it gave the parliament the right to convene in case it was not called to sit according to the scheduled date.
As for the House of Representatives the constitution stated that all its members were to be elected, for a 5-year term. On the other hand, three fifths of the Senate members were elected, and the rest were appointed. The constitution also adopted the principle of equal competences for the two branches, with some exceptions.
The number of members was increased from time to time. The House of Representatives, for example, had 214 members in the period 1924-1930, then became 235.The number decreased under the 1923 Constitution which continued in effect from 1931-1934 to become 150. It increased once again under the 1923 Constitution to become 232 for the period from 1936-1938. Then the number of members became 264 from 1938- 1949. Then it was increased to 319 in 1950 and continued as such up till the 1952 revolution.
The parliament
Parliament
A parliament is a legislature, especially in those countries whose system of government is based on the Westminster system modeled after that of the United Kingdom. The name is derived from the French , the action of parler : a parlement is a discussion. The term came to mean a meeting at which...
established by the 1923 Constitution was an advanced step along the course of democracy and representation in Egypt. However, practice was mixed with numerous negative aspects. Political life in the period 1923-1952 varied between tides of limited popular democracy and ebbs due to intervention by occupation forces and the palace, which led to the dissolution of parliament ten times. Moreover, a new constitution was issued in 1930, and lasted for five years. This was a setback to democratic life until the 1923 constitution was restored in 1935.
Thus, constitutional conditions deteriorated due to internal and external reasons. This deterioration was reflected in a state of political and governmental instability to the extent that Egypt had developed 40 cabinets in the period 1923-1952.