As reported previously, the Egyptian constitution is currently suspended. However, the ruling authorities have just announced that a constitutional referendum will be held on 19 March. The referendum relates to various constitutional changes that the authorities have proposed.

Assuming the referendum is passed and assuming the revised constitution comes into force, then Egypt will return to semi-presidentialism. This is because the constitutional amendments, while important in principle, do not seem to change the basic structure of the previous document.

I have not been able to identify an English version of the amendments. However, there are some summaries, including one here.

For the purposes of this blog, the major reforms are the one that makes it easier for more candidates to stand for the presidency, a two-term presidential limit, and the promise of a new constitution after the referendum.