Research Library: Egypt
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Last Updated May 29, 2009
Country Information
Government
- Egypt is a republic. Parliament nominates the president followed by a national referendum to elect the president. Egypt has a bicameral Parliament, the People's Assembly, with 454 seats and the Advisory Council with 264 seats.
- President Hosni Mubarak came to power in 1981. In September 2005 Mubarak gained a fifth consecutive term under a new system which allows multiple candidates to stand. The Head of Government is Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif.
Political Stability
- In May 2005, the government revised the constitution to allow multiple candidates in the presidential elections for the first time. In March of 2007 constitutional amendments passed via referendum. These amendments include a ban on political parties based on religion, race, or ethnicity. Despite government claims of a 76% approval, opposition groups claim the referendum was rigged.
- As a strong military and political ally of the United States, Egypt provides military assistance and training to African and Arab states. Egypt maintains one of the largest armed forces in the region.
Current Government Policies
- The government faces a rapidly growing population, widespread unemployment, and a widening gap between rich and poor. Following the 1978 Camp David Accords, Egypt played an active role in managing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Following the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, Egypt has assumed responsibility for the border with the Palestinian authority.
- The government is developing a nuclear energy program according to a 2006 International Atomic Energy Agency report.
International Reputation
- The international community regards Egypt as a power of moderate political stance and as cooperative in international activities.
- Human rights groups criticize Egypt for its often brutal suppression of opposition, particularly religious extremists. President Mubarak claims the Muslim Brotherhood, an illegal organization and the strongest opposition group in the country, is a threat to national security.
Economics
- The Egyptian government recently attempted to improve the economy's competitiveness on the global scale by changing legislation and other barriers to trade. Government interventions, subsidies, and other problems continue to prevent the economy from improving.
- 32% of 65 million Egyptians are engaged in agriculture. Yet, Egypt cannot produce enough food for its citizens and must import two-thirds of its food consumed .
Foreign Aid
Statistics
Click on statistic name for source information.
Web Resources
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