Egypt’s House of Representatives commenced its first session in four years, with representatives taking their parliamentary oaths. The new parliament, with 448 independent seats, 120 party-based seats and 28 presidential appointees, is Egypt’s largest parliament to date. According to state media Al-Ahram, each member of parliament is required to read out the oath: “I swear by Almighty God to loyally uphold the republican system of Egypt, respect the constitution and the law, fully observe the interests of the people, and to safeguard the independence of the nation and integrity and unity of its land.” The first session of parliament will also see the election of the new parliament speaker. Currently, the role is occupied by the eldest member of the parliament, Bahaa Abu Shaqa, in accordance with parliamentary regulations. The two deputy members, who will also be elected, are currently the youngest members of parliament 26-year-olds Hassan Hussein and Noha al-Hemeily. The new parliament convened amid disputes over who should be elected to fill the role of the speaker and the two deputies. Controversial pro-government figure Mostafa Bakry threatened yesterday to withdraw over what he called “interference from above” in the…
