Egyptian politicians and parliamentarians are calling for the rapid issuance of the Local Administration Law, emphasizing its importance in organizing the work of local councils, determining their competencies, and defining their relationship with executive bodies. The law is seen as crucial in addressing various problems related to local administration and services.
The last local council elections took place in 2008, and these councils were dissolved in March 2011 following the dissolution of the National Party. Since then, the absence of local councils has led to members of the House of Representatives and the Senate taking on local responsibilities that are not part of their primary mandate.
According to MP Attaf Magaweri, a member of the House of Representatives and a leader of the Gathering Party, the need for local councils has become pressing due to the multitude of problems associated with local administration and services. He noted that some requests from MPs to ministers and executive bodies do not rise to the level of local council competencies.
Magaweri pointed out that the local administration system relies on two wings: the executive and the popular. While the executive wing is currently functioning, the popular wing, represented by local councils, is absent. This absence hampers the local administration's ability to perform its role effectively.
The absence of local oversight is reflected in citizens' interests and the services provided to them, according to Magaweri. He emphasized that problems in local administration have reached a critical point. Meanwhile, Engineer Mohamed Sami, Honorary President of the Karama Party, stressed the need to expedite the issuance of the Local Administration Law and hold local council elections.
Sami noted that local councils can contribute to reducing corruption and minimizing its margin, emphasizing that activating popular oversight through local councils can help combat corruption. He highlighted that the primary role of local councils is to serve citizens in the governorates and exercise oversight.
MP Abla Al-Hawari, a member of the Constitutional and Legislative Committee of the House of Representatives, revealed the most prominent legislation expected to be discussed during the upcoming session. She confirmed that the Local Administration Law is among the top priorities, given its importance in light of increasing discussions within and outside Parliament about the need to activate the law.
Key points
- The law aims to organize the work of local councils and define their relationship with executive bodies.
- The last local council elections were held in 2008.
- The absence of local councils has led to an overload of responsibilities for members of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
