The Egyptian Parliament is set to convene an emergency session on September 30, 2026, at the request of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to discuss a pressing matter. This upcoming session brings to the forefront previous instances where the parliament held extraordinary sessions during el-Sisi's tenure, tackling various issues from cabinet reshuffles to the implications of the Gaza war.
According to a report, between 2018 and September 2026, the Egyptian Parliament held six emergency sessions. One of the earliest sessions took place on January 14, 2018, for a limited cabinet reshuffle under Prime Minister Sherif Ismail. The session was convened at the request of then-Parliament Speaker Ali Abdel Aal, ahead of the scheduled parliamentary session.
Another significant session occurred on November 28, 2019, when the parliament convened to consider President el-Sisi's nomination of Tarek Amer for a new term as Central Bank Governor. Following the President's request, the Parliament approved Amer's reappointment for four years. These sessions highlight the parliament's role in addressing critical national issues outside regular sessions.
On August 13, 2022, an emergency session was held to consider a cabinet reshuffle presented by President el-Sisi. Based on the parliament's internal regulations, which allow for emergency sessions during recess to discuss cabinet reshuffles, the changes were approved. These instances demonstrate the parliament's flexibility in responding to urgent national matters.
The parliament also addressed international developments, such as the Gaza conflict, in an emergency session on October 19, 2023. At President el-Sisi's request, lawmakers discussed the situation in Palestinian territories and Egypt's stance on the escalation in Gaza. The session underscored Egypt's concerns and its rejection of forced Palestinian displacement.
More recently, on February 10, 2026, an emergency session was convened to consider a cabinet reshuffle, with the parliament approving the new lineup in line with the constitution and internal regulations. Furthermore, on September 29, 2026, President el-Sisi called for an emergency session to discuss the postponement of the new Criminal Procedures Law, set to take effect on October 1, 2026, due to incomplete technological preparations.
Notably, the report does not include an October 2025 session related to the President's objection to the Criminal Procedures Law, as it was held during a regular parliamentary session and not an emergency session called outside of the regular schedule. These emergency sessions reflect the dynamic role of the Egyptian Parliament in addressing pressing national and international issues during el-Sisi's presidency.
Key points
- The Egyptian Parliament has held six emergency sessions since 2018, addressing key issues such as cabinet reshuffles, the Gaza conflict, and the Criminal Procedures Law.
