1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
Israel-Hamas warUkraineExtreme weather

Blow to Egypt's old guard

Sherelle JacobsApril 12, 2012

Egypt is poised to pass a law that could end the political careers of former supporters of ousted president Hosni Mubarak. The move comes with Egypt's presidential election only weeks away.

https://p.dw.com/p/14dCS
A supporter of ousted President Hosni Mubarak chants slogans in front of a courtroom in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011.
Image: dapd

Egypt's parliament passed an amendment Thursday to a law, which would bar prior supporters of ousted president Hosni Mubarak's regime from standing for high office.

The potential new law "bars any president, vice president, prime minister or leader or (senior member) of the now-dissolved National Democratic Party from exercising political rights for 10 years," the MPs said in a live televised parliamentary session.

The measure, which is yet to be approved by the ruling military council, could see numerous former officials including ex-intelligence chief Omar Suleiman banned from the presidential election, which is due to take place next month. Registration for presidential candidacy closed on Sunday.

The law is due to pass over to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) for ratification. The armed forces took over the government when the toppling of Mubarak in February last year left the country with a power vacuum.

sej/msh (AFP, AP, Reuters)