Egyptian Constitutional Court invalidates Senate

On June 2nd, the Supreme Constitutional Court of Egypt (SCC) ruled to invalidate the Shura Council (the Senate) and the Constitutional Assembly, the body responsible for drafting the country's constitution.

However, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi declared that the Shura Council would retain its legislative power until a new parliament is elected.

President Mohamed Morsi. (Photo: AFP)

The SCC ruling declared both the law on the independent election of members of the Shura Council and the law stipulating the organizational structure of the Constitutional Council unconstitutional.

Furthermore, the SCC also invalidated the Emergency Law on the grounds that it granted the President numerous exceptional powers that could be used in an emergency.

The rulings were issued by the SCC amid tight security outside the courthouse due to concerns about escalating tensions between supporters of President Morsi and the opposition.

The current Shura Council is predominantly Muslim and operates only temporarily after the country's parliament was dissolved last year, also following a ruling by the SCC.

According to VNA - DT