The President of Egypt is the Head of the State, and he was also, under the former Egyptian Constitution, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Head of the Executive Authority (the Egyptian Cabinet). Hitherto,Declaration 2 does not give the President the same wide excessive authorities, where he/she is only stated to be the Head of the State and the Head of the National Defence Council. Following the revocation Declaration 3, it is expected that the President shall assume the customary powers normally afforded thereto under a presidential political system. It is also worth noting that on August 12, 2012, the President has appointed one new vice-president, who was a former vice-president of the Egyptian Court of Cassation.

Article 75 of the former Egyptian Constitution clearly states that a President of Egypt must meet certain requirements. First, he must be an Egyptian national, born to Egyptian parents and enjoy both political and civil rights. Moreover, his age should not be less than 40 calendar years. Declaration 2 sets out the same conditions, and adds that neither he/she nor his/her parents shall have acquired another nationality, other than the Egyptian nationality, and that he/she shall not have a foreign spouse.

According to the former Constitution, after being elected by the qualified special majority of the Parliament, the President serves six consecutive calendar years from the date the results of the plebiscite are announced. Once his term ends, he may be re-elected for other successive terms, as the former Constitution does not state any limit to the number of terms a president may serve. Declaration 2, on the other hand, sets out a term of four calendar years that may only be renewed once for one successive term.

According to Declaration 2, the President appoints the Prime Minister, the Ministers and their delegates, appoints the appointed members of the People’s Assembly, calls the People’s Assembly and Shoura Councils to enter into normal session, and issues laws or objects to them. The President further enjoys the right to represent the State domestically and abroad, pardon convicts and reduce the punishment thereof, and sign international treaties and agreements.

As the chief executive body of Egypt, the Cabinet consists of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Ministers. In addition to its management of daily affairs and setting strategies for development and reform in all areas, it has a role in shaping the agenda of the houses of Parliament by proposing laws to Parliament, as well as amendments during parliamentary meetings. It may also make use of procedures to speed up parliamentary deliberations.