President Mohamed Morsy today reversed the Supreme Council of Armed Forces’ decision to dissolve the People’s Assembly, the lower house of parliament, after he issued presidential decree 11 of 2012.
“President Mohamed Morsy has decided to cancel the negative decision to dissolve the Parliament and has called it back into session,” read a statement posted on the presidency’s official Facebook page.
Morsy said the parliament would resume its official legislative duties until the passing of a new constitution. He will call for new parliamentary elections 60 days after the new constitution is in effect.
SCAF had dissolved the People’s Assembly after the Supreme Constitutional Court ruled the 2011 parliamentary elections law unconstitutional.
It subsequently released a constitutional decree limiting presidential powers and taking over legislative duties until new elections were held after the drafting and passing of a new constitution.
The decision extended SCAF’s power after it had initially promised to fully hand over power to an elected civilian government by June 30.
The Administrative Judiciary Court had just referred a case calling for the dissolution of the Shura Council, parliament’s upper house, to the Supreme Constitutional Court. Based on the decision to dissolve the People’s Assembly, it was understood that that the Shura Council would meet the same fate, meaning the complete dissolution of parliament.
The Administrative Judiciary Court was also meant to look at a case on Monday against the decision to dissolve the People’s Assembly. Morsy’s move preempted the court decision, however, and issued a decree bringing it back.
There has been no response yet from SCAF members or military spokespersons.
