Cairo: An Egyptian state law institution Wednesday appealed against a court verdict, which overruled a presidential call for controversial parliamentary elections, raising fresh doubts about an imminent end to the country’s political deadlock.
The State Cases Authority, an agency in charge of filing lawsuits related to the official bodies, mounted the appeal on behalf of President Mohammad Mursi, against the ruling issued by the Administrative Court a week ago.
The court said Mursi had violated the constitution by calling for the elections without consulting the prime minister. The court also referred to the Supreme Constitutional Court a disputed electoral law to decide on its legality.
Last week, Mursi’s office said it would respect the rulings, raising expectations it would not legally challenge the verdict to defuse tensions with the opposition.
The Islamist president has for months been locked in a sharp dispute with the secular-leaning opposition, which accuses him of betraying the revolt that brought him to power in June last year.
“This is the latest in episode in the series of retractions by the presidential establishment, which does not keep its promises,” said Wahid Abdel Majuid, a senior member of the main opposition group, the National Salvation Front. “The presidency previously said it would not challenge the verdict. This contradiction harms its credibility,” he added.
The opposition announced boycotting the elections last month when Mursi called for them, citing a lack of guarantees for fair and free polls.
In June last year, Egypt’s top court dissolved the Islamist-led legislature after election rules were found unconstitutional. The Shura Council or the upper house of parliament temporarily holds legislative power until a new legislature is elected.
