A Blog by the Editor of The Middle East Journal

Putting Middle Eastern Events in Cultural and Historical Context

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Egyptian Cabinet Votes for Mixed Electoral System

Egypt's Cabinet has voted to shift to a mixed electoral system blending proportional representation/party lists  with constituency-based districts. With only a 2% threshold for entering Parliament, a maximum number of parties would seem likely to be represented. The changes would still need approval by he Supreme Council of the Armed Forces.

I find it hard to visualize how they can redraw all the constituencies in time for a September vote when it is already July, but at least they're at last addressing the question of an electoral system less skewed towards a single party than the old one.

And really, 2%? There's going to half to be a lot of coalition building.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Big mistake. They should pay attn to Iraq's example and avoid same.