Egypt’s parliament votes on no-confidence motion against govt

PanARMENIAN.Net - Egypt's parliament voted on Sunday, March 11 to begin steps to withdraw confidence from the military-appointed government, a move that will pile pressure on the ruling generals to appoint a new cabinet led by the Muslim Brotherhood, Reuters reported.

A vote of no-confidence would take Egypt into new political waters and could set the stage for a confrontation if the generals, who assumed power after the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak last year, refuse to yield to the will of a parliament elected in the country's most democratic vote in six decades.

It could also complicate negotiations with the International Monetary Fund over a $3.2 billion loan the government of Prime Minister Kamal al-Ganzouri is seeking to stave off a looming financial crisis after more than a year of political and economic turmoil.

MPs heaped criticism on the government during a session called to debate its handling of a probe into civil society groups and its decision to lift travel bans imposed on foreigners, including Americans, charged in the case.

MPs have also criticized the government for its handling of riots after a soccer match in Port Said on February 1 that left 73 dead and for the broader economic problems facing the country of 80 million.

The Ganzouri government is due to leave office at the end of June, the same time as the military is due to hand power to an elected president.