Constitutional changes voted on 19 March 2007 prohibited parties from using religion as a basis for political activity, allowed the drafting of a new anti-terrorism law, authorised broad police powers of arrest and surveillance, and gave the president power to dissolve parliament and end judicial election monitoring. In 2009, Dr. Ali El Deen Hilal Dessouki, Media Secretary of the National Democratic Party (NDP), described Egypt as a "pharaonic" political system, and democracy as a "long-term goal". Dessouki also stated that "the real center of power in Egypt is the military". COUNT 4
QSN1 What did constitutional changes in 2007 prohibit? ANS1 parties from using religion as a basis for political activity QSN2 What was Dr. Ali El Deen Hilal Dessouki's position? ANS2 Media Secretary of the National Democratic Party QSN3 What was the long term goal for Egypt? ANS3 democracy QSN4 What presidential powers were included in 2007 law changes? ANS4 power to dissolve parliament and end judicial election monitoring