Colonel Nasser proclaims the Egyptian Constitution |
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Collection title
Non Utilisés
First broadcast date
01/01/1956
Abstract
‘Egypt celebrates the proclamation of the Constitution'.
Various extracts of Colonel Nasser, proclaiming the Constitution before a large enthusiastic crowd. (Synchronous speech).
Primary theme
Contemporary historical challenges 19th-20th c.
Credits / Cast
- Press Filmed - Journalist
Map locations
- Egypt - Lower Egypt - Cairo
Additional information
Coming from: 56/6945 Misir FA correspondent in Cairo
Context
Nasser proclaims the Egyptian Constitution – January 16th 1956
François Siino
On January 16th 1956, Gamal Abdel Nasser, dressed as usual in a suit and tie, almost making us forget he was an officer in the Egyptian army, spoke before a huge crowd gathered in Cairo's Midan al-Tahrir square (Liberation Squuare). Icon of Egyptian nationalism, pan-Arabism and soon the Third World (with the nationalisation of the Suez Canal in July of the same year), Nasser announced the Constitution of the Republic of Egypt. An undeniably fine orator, in this speech he celebrated another stage in the Egyptian revolution, which in his words crowned the years of struggle of a whole people against "tyranny, slavery and despotism".
Four years earlier, on July 23rd 1952, the small group of "Free Officers" took power, putting an end to the monarchy by forcing King Farouk to abdicate. These young officers were the embodiment of Egypt's version of Arab socialism, an ideology which was then being emulated right across the Near East and whose main themes were the fight against the legacy of imperial colonialism , social justice for all and military and economic independence.
Within the Revolutionary Council which held all power, the more moderate tendency represented by General Naguib was pushing for a return to democracy governed by a normal Constitution. But the more radical of the officers led by Gamal Abdel Nasser were reluctant to return to a parliamentary system which represented for many a corrupt monarchism. Having got rid of Naguib in 1954, Nasser had his hands free to give the young Egyptian republic the shape he wanted – in other words an authoritarian military regime.
In this context the Constitution thrashed out during 1953 could not be the work of a constituant assembly elected by the people. It was drawn up by a commission directly controlled by the Revolutionary Council and whose members were replaced several times. The first draft proposed a parliamentary regime based on free elections, giving women the right to vote and sit in Parliament. It was rejected. The second draft set up instead a strong presidential regime in which Parliament was reduced to a vague consultative role. The former political parties were banned and the regime put in their place a national union whose job was to make sure the revolution's objectives were carried out and, on the side, to chose those who would be allowed to stand in the legislative elections.
The text which Gamal Abdel Nasser read out on this January 16th 1956 did not have a very long life: two years later it was suspended (February 1958) when Egypt merged with Syria in a United Arab Republic.
Bibliography
Aclimandos Tewfik, 2001, « Officiers et Frères musulmans : 1945-1948 », Égypte/Monde arabe, Deuxième série, L’Égypte dans le siècle, 1901-2000. En ligne : http://ema.revues.org/index887.html
Bernard-Maugiron Nathalie, « Les constitutions égyptiennes (1923-2000) : Ruptures et continuités », Égypte/Monde arabe (Deuxième série), L’Égypte dans le siècle, 1901-2000. En ligne : http://ema.revues.org/index868.html
Les architectures constitutionnelles des régimes politiques arabes. De l’autoritarisme à la démocratisation, Sous la direction de Nathalie Bernard-Maugiron et Jean-Noël Ferrié, Égypte Monde arabe, n°2, 2005. En ligne : http://ema.revues.org/index695.html
Vote et démocratie dans l'Égypte contemporaine, par Sarah Ben Néfissa et Ala al-Din Arafāt, éditions IRD-Karthala
