Senate (Egypt)

Senate (Egypt)
Name	Senate
Native name	مجلس الشيوخ
Legislature	Parliament of Egypt
House type	Upper house
Body	Egyptian Parliament
Jurisdiction	Egypt
Term limits	None
Foundation	11 October 2020
Preceded by	Shura Council
Leader1 type	President
Leader1	Abdel Wahab Abdel Razek
Election1	18 October 2020
Members	300
Political groups1	Supporting the State (300):, Nation's Future Party (149), Republican People's Party (11), New Wafd Party (10), Conference Party (9), Egyptian Social Democratic Party (4), Modern Egypt Party (4), Reform and Development Party (3), National Progressive Unionist Party (2), Homeland Defenders Party (2), My Country Egypt Party (1), Independents (105)
Voting system1	Single non-transferable vote & Presidential appointment
Last election1	11–12 August 2020
Meeting place	Cairo
Website	www.parliament.gov.eg

Senate (Egypt). The Senate is the upper house of the Parliament of Egypt, re-established following constitutional amendments approved in a 2019 national referendum. It functions as a consultative and legislative body, reviewing laws and state policies proposed by the House of Representatives. The chamber's creation marked a return to a bicameral parliamentary system, succeeding the abolished Shura Council.

History

The modern Senate traces its institutional lineage to earlier consultative bodies in Egypt, including the Shura Council that operated from 1980 until its dissolution following the 2011 Egyptian revolution and the 2014 Constitution of Egypt. The drive to re-establish an upper house was formalized through the 2019 Egyptian constitutional referendum, which amended the Constitution of Egypt to create the Senate. This move was advocated by the Administration of Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and supporters in the House of Representatives as a means to broaden political participation and legislative scrutiny. The first session of the newly constituted body convened in October 2020 after the 2020 Egyptian Senate election.

Composition and structure

The Senate is composed of 300 members, with a mixed system of election and appointment shaping its membership. Two-thirds of the senators, or 200 members, are elected through direct public vote, while the President of the Republic appoints the remaining one-third. The chamber is led by a President and two Vice-Presidents, who are elected from among the membership. Administrative and organizational support is provided by the Senate's General Secretariat, and its work is conducted through specialized standing committees covering areas such as Arab affairs, foreign relations, and financial affairs.

Powers and functions

Constitutionally, the Senate holds legislative and oversight powers, though they are generally weaker than those of the House of Representatives. Its primary functions include studying and proposing amendments to draft laws sent from the lower house, particularly those related to constitutional amendments, state planning, social development, and international treaties. The Senate can also offer opinions on general state policy and human rights issues. However, the House of Representatives retains the final word on most legislative matters, with the Senate's role being largely consultative and deliberative.

Elections and membership

Senators serve five-year terms, concurrent with the term of the House of Representatives. Elections are conducted under the single non-transferable vote system within a framework of individual candidacy. Candidates must be Egyptian citizens, at least 35 years old, and have completed military service or received an exemption. The National Election Authority oversees the electoral process. The first election in August 2020 saw a strong performance by the pro-government Nation's Future Party, with many independent candidates also winning seats.

Relationship with other government bodies

The Senate operates within Egypt's political system defined by the Constitution of Egypt and interacts primarily with the House of Representatives and the President of Egypt. It reviews legislation passed by the lower house and can suggest changes, but the House of Representatives may override the Senate's opinions by a simple majority vote. The Senate also provides non-binding advice to the President of Egypt and the Cabinet of Egypt on matters of national policy. Its relationship with the judiciary is limited, though it may discuss general principles related to laws.

Dissolution and reinstatement

The Senate can be dissolved only by a decision from the President of Egypt, provided such a decree is endorsed by a public referendum, as stipulated by the Constitution of Egypt. This occurred with its predecessor, the Shura Council, which was dissolved in 2014. The current Senate was reinstated by constitutional amendment in 2019, reflecting a political decision to return to a bicameral system. Its continuity is thus tied to constitutional provisions and the political will of the executive branch, as demonstrated during the administrations of Hosni Mubarak, Mohamed Morsi, and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

Category:Parliament of Egypt Category:Upper houses of national legislatures Category:2020 establishments in Egypt