The office of the president said on Sunday that the Shura Council will continue to "carry out its full legislative role" until legislative powers are handed over to an elected House of Representatives.
The announcement came only hours after the Supreme Constitutional Court (SCC) had ruled the Shura Council’s electoral law unconstitutional.
In a statement, the office of the president said that the Shura Council would continue to make use of its temporary legislative powers until a House of Representatives is elected and emphasized that " the president of the republic is the arbitrator between the different powers that carry out their constitutional and legal responsibilities, and he is the one who ensures that each of them plays their role in a way that conforms to the constitution."
“The Constitution– which was put to a public referendum and won the approval of a majority of Egyptians– is the ultimate reference that everyone is keen to abide by and defend,” the statement went on. “Protecting and respecting it is the duty of all state powers.”
With a voter turnout of 31 percent, 64 percent of voters approved the constitution in a public referendum that was conducted in two stages in December 2012.
The SCC on Sunday ruled unconstitutional the laws governing the elections for the Islamist-dominated Shura Council and the constituent assembly, which drafted the constitution.
After the SCC's ruling prompted considerable speculation concerning the future of the Shura Council, the president’s office sounded trenchant in affirming that the body would continue to possess legislative powers.
The Shura Council only has a temporary legislative function, which will expire with the elections for the House of Representatives. Despite its limited mandate, the council is discussing important and controversial laws, such as the law on judicial power and the law regarding the establishment of NGOs.
After the SCC issued its ruling, opposition figures on Sunday demanded that the Shura Council cease to pass laws.
The Shura Council elections were held in early 2012. Only 15 percent of eligible voters went to the polls, according to the High Election Commission.
