Following reports that the SCAF has agreed to a “limited” cabinet reshuffle, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mohamed Attiya denied that a shakeup is in the works. Attiya also insisted that Parliament has no right to withdraw confidence from the government of Prime Minister Kamal al-Ganzouri or change any of his ministers. Minister of International Cooperation Fayza Aboul Naga also denied reports of an imminent cabinet reshuffle, saying, "I ask those who propagate rumors to fear God."
PROTESTS:
1) In preparation for Labor Day (May 1), two branches of the Interior Ministry — civilian employees and low-ranking police officers — have been staging protests and organizing press conferences to demand better pay and an end to discrimination in the workplace as well as the preferential treatment of high-ranking officers. [Egypt Independent, English, 5/1/2012]
2) Low-ranking policemen clashed with Central Security Forces (CSF) near the Interior Ministry’s headquarters during nation-wide protests over parliament’s delay in addressing their demands for higher wages, pensions and an overhaul of the promotions system. Parliament Speaker Saad al-Katatny that the People’s Assembly has not yet received any bills regarding police reform. [al-Ahram, English, 5/1/2012]
ELECTIONS:
3) Anonymous sources in Ayman Nour’s Ghad al-Thawra Party reported that the party has agreed to support Amr Moussa’s candidacy in exchange for Nour’s joining the presidential ticket. [al-Masry al-Youm, Arabic, 5/1/2012]
PARLIAMENT:
4) Several members of the People’s Assembly began an open-ended sit-in in the parliament building on April 29 in protest of Parliamentary Speaker Saad al-Katatny’s decision to suspend sessions for a week, pending calls for a cabinet reshuffle. [al-Shorouk, Arabic, 5/1/2012]
5) Parliamentary Speaker Saad al-Katatny reported on April 29 that Field Marshal Tantawi had agreed to a “limited” Cabinet reshuffle within 48 hours, under rising pressure from parliament. [al-Ahram, English, 5/1/2012]
6) Following reports that the SCAF has agreed to a “limited” cabinet reshuffle, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mohamed Attiya denied that a shakeup is in the works. Attiya also insisted that Parliament has no right to withdraw confidence from the government of Prime Minister Kamal al-Ganzouri or change any of his ministers. Minister of International Cooperation Fayza Aboul Naga also denied reports of an imminent cabinet reshuffle, saying, "I ask those who propagate rumors to fear God." [Egypt Independent, English, 5/1/2012] [al-Ahram, English, 5/1/2012]
CONSTITUTION:
7) Members of the parliamentary committee on constitutional and legislative affairs announced their rejection of a document agreed upon by the SCAF and political forces outlining criteria for the selection of a new constituent assembly. The committee claimed the SCAF-brokered document violates Article 60 of the interim constitution, which authorizes the People’s Assembly and Shura Council to define criteria for selecting the constituent assembly. [al-Shorouk, Arabic, 5/1/2012]