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Egypt leader to outline changes Egypt to ease curbs on parties
(20 minutes later)
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is expected to announce plans for a number of constitutional changes in a speech before parliament. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has said he will propose a constitutional amendment aimed at loosening some of the restrictions on opposition parties.
Mr Mubarak has already made it clear that he would like to make it easier for political parties to present presidential candidates. Mr Mubarak told parliament the changes would strengthen the chances of parties contesting presidential elections.
It is also understood that some of the changes will enhance the powers of both parliament and the prime minister. Critics say the move is intended to ease the succession of the president's son Gemal, through a process which only looks democratic.
These are likely to be cautious changes that will not affect the power balance. Independent candidates are not expected to benefit from the new measures.
It is also understood that some of the changes will enhance the powers of both parliament and the prime minister, the BBC's Heba Saleh in Cairo reports.
The constitution was amended last year to allow the country to hold contested presidential elections.The constitution was amended last year to allow the country to hold contested presidential elections.
But so many conditions were imposed that, in effect, only the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) of Mr Mubarak is eligible to present presidential candidates.But so many conditions were imposed that, in effect, only the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) of Mr Mubarak is eligible to present presidential candidates.
Opposition 'too weak'Opposition 'too weak'
The president now wants to loosen some of the restrictions so that the legal opposition parties could compete.The president now wants to loosen some of the restrictions so that the legal opposition parties could compete.
Mubarak's son could succeed him establishing a dynasty in a republicOfficials of the ruling NDP say it will provide an incentive for the opposition to improve its performance. Mubarak's son could succeed him, establishing a dynasty in a republicOfficials of the ruling NDP say it will provide an incentive for the opposition to improve its performance.
The legal parties here are too weak to present much of an obstacle to any candidate backed by the NDP. The legal parties here are too weak to present much of an obstacle to any candidate backed by the NDP, our correspondent reports.
Critics of Mr Mubarak say the changes are aimed at facilitating the succession of his son, Gamal, through a process which looks democratic.
The amendments are not expected to ease the restrictions faced by independent presidential candidates. They are likely to come from the Muslim Brotherhood - a popular, though illegal group.The amendments are not expected to ease the restrictions faced by independent presidential candidates. They are likely to come from the Muslim Brotherhood - a popular, though illegal group.
Officials say Mr Mubarak will also announce plans to give some additional powers to the prime minister and to parliament but again the changes here are likely to prove limited.