King of Egypt and Sudan
King of Egypt and Sudan ( Arabic ملك مصر والسودان, Malik Miṣr was-Sūdān ) was the unofficial title from 1922 and from 1951 to 1953 the official title of head of state of the Kingdom of Egypt with Sudan in personal and real union . Previously, since 1922, the title had only been King of Egypt ( Arabic ملك مصر, Malik Miṣr ).
The king was always one of the most famous public figures in the Arab and Islamic world and was held in high regard.
history
The title came about after the United Kingdom gave up its protectorate over the Sultanate of Egypt on February 28, 1922, with a decree of March 15, 1922 by the previous ruler Fu'ad I , in which he was proclaimed the first "King of Egypt" . This title change was intended to legitimize Egypt's new independent status and was also a response to the newly installed kingdoms of Hejaz , Syria and Iraq . Fu'ad I wanted to be on an equal footing as ruler of the most powerful Arab country.
In 1951, the Egyptian parliament amended the constitution, which had been in force since 1923, through Law 176 of October 16, 1951, and Fu'ad's heir and son Faruq was proclaimed "King of Egypt and Sudan". This new change came in the wake of the decision of the then Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa an-Nahhas Pascha to unilaterally repeal the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty of 1936. The title was primarily intended to reaffirm Egypt's claims to Sudan, which had been an Anglo-Egyptian condominium since 1899 .
The title had long been used by Egyptian and Arab nationalists to pacify their aspirations for the unity of the Nile Valley. Faruq had already been proclaimed King of Egypt and Sudan by some parliamentarians at his coronation ceremony on July 29, 1937, and Egyptian students in France had also greeted him that way during a trip through Europe in the same year. However, the title had no legal status before 1951 and until then Faruq was only officially the “ruler of Sudan” (not king). The title "King of Sudan" was almost entirely ceremonial, as the Egyptian king had not exercised effective control over Sudan. The British objections to the title and the call for Egypt to grant the Sudanese people the right to self-determination resulted in the majority of the great powers not recognizing the new title of ruler. The countries that did not recognize Egypt's claim to rule in Sudan were primarily Western Europe and the United States and the Vatican . The only other monarch who, besides Faruq, used the title King of Egypt and Sudan was his underage son Fu'ad II. This was only formally king. On June 18, 1953, the monarchy was abolished and Fu'ad II was exiled to his family. Despite its short-lived existence, the title was printed on numerous Egyptian postage stamps, coins and official documents.
Constitutional position
The constitution of April 30, 1923 defined Egypt as a constitutional hereditary monarchy . As head of state, the king was significantly involved in all three state powers and was also the sovereign of the nation (see monarchical principle ) and as "head of government" over the prime minister head of government.
The king exercised legislative power together with the bicameral parliament ( Senate and Chamber of Deputies ) (Article 24 of the Constitution). The monarch had to confirm all laws passed by parliament (Art 25) or could reject a bill within 30 days ( right of veto ). In exceptional situations, however, he could also issue decrees with the force of law, which, however, later required the approval of parliament (Art 41).
The king also exercised executive power. He alone appointed and dismissed all ministers, officials and clergy (Art 48.49). A vote of no confidence by Parliament could bring the ministers down against his will (Article 61). Decisions (state acts) of the king only become effective after the countersignature of the prime minister and the responsible ministerial minister (Art 60). The monarch's further powers included, in particular, the right to dissolve the Chamber of Deputies. New elections had to take place within two months. The monarch could also delay parliamentary sessions or call special sessions. In the Senate, the king could first appoint two fifths and from 1930 to 1935 three fifths of the deputies (Art 74).
The king also exercised full supreme command over the Egyptian armed forces (Art 46). He was in command of all three branches of the armed forces (army, navy, air force). The judiciary was spoken on his behalf and he had the right to pardon .
Despite his strong constitutional position, the king was less powerful than, say, the President of the United States . Its constitutional status can be compared with that of the King of Italy or the German Emperor .
Rulership sign
Full title
Fu'ad I. and Faruq carried the title "By the grace of God , King of Egypt and sovereign of Nubia , Sudan, Kurdufan and Darfur ". From 1951 the title was called "By the grace of God, King of Egypt and Sudan".
Standard, coat of arms and monogram
As head of state, the king used the state flag with a crown raised to the left as a royal standard . The personal coat of arms was a modified version of the coat of arms of the royal family. It was used by the Egyptian rulers since 1805 before the proclamation of the kingdom. On the personal monogram , parts of the name of the respective ruler with a crown were depicted in Arabic .
The standard, flag and monogram were hoisted or depicted, in addition to the official state symbols, on official visits by the king.
Personal standard
Standard of the Crown Prince
Personal coat of arms
Royal monogram of Faruq
Royal monogram of Fu'ad II.
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Imperial insignia
The king had a scepter , orb and a royal crown . The insignia - except for the crown - were not used in the coronation ceremony and were purely symbolic.
Residences
Several royal residences and guest houses for foreign state guests were available to the king. The official residence of the monarch was the Abdeen Palace in the center of Cairo and the Koubbeh Palace on the northern outskirts. Other (some) royal estates were:
- Raʾs-at-Tīn Palace in Alexandria
- Montaza Palace in Alexandria
- Tahra Palace in Cairo
- Al-Oroba Palace in Cairo
- Heliopolis Palace in Cairo
Bearer of the title
| Picture (no.) | Name (life data) | dynasty | Taking office | coronation | Term expires | Length of term of office | Governments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Fu'ad I.
(1868–1936) |
Dynasty of Muhammad Ali | March 15, 1922 | no | April 28, 1936 | 14 years | 15th |
| 2 |
|
Faruq (I.)
(1920–1965) |
Dynasty of Muhammad Ali | April 28, 1936 | July 29, 1937 and October 16, 1951 | July 26, 1952 | 16 years | 17th |
| 3 |
|
Fu'ad II.
(1952–) |
Dynasty of Muhammad Ali | July 26, 1952 | July 26, 1952 | June 18, 1953 | 1 year | 2 |
Fu'ad I. (1922-1936)
The reign of King Fu'ad I was shaped equally by foreign and domestic political events. The achievement of independence from Great Britain in 1922 led to strong economic growth and high industrialization in the big cities, which made Egypt the first industrial state in Africa . At the same time, a relatively liberal constitution was passed in 1923 , through which parliamentary democracy finally found its way. New mass parties and associations emerged from the old small parties. Above all, the nationalist Wafd party played a decisive role, which pushed through a radical secularization and modernization of society. In terms of foreign policy, the party tried with the king to secure the empire through alliances with the major European powers . In 1924, Sudan's status as an Egyptian-British condominium led to a serious state crisis which reduced Egypt's control over Sudan. Fu'ad I.'s personal, strict rejection of democracy , the abolition of the 1928 constitution, which he largely promoted, and the toleration of the dictatorship of Prime Minister Ismail Sedki Pasha (1930–1935) during the Great Depression are noted negatively. Overall, with his interpretation of the powers of the king, Fu'ad I. laid important groundwork for his successor Faruq's understanding of office.
Faruq (1936-1952)
Faruq came to the throne as a minor and was only declared fit to govern in 1937. His initial charisma also earned him the sympathy of many anti-monarchists and led to a relaxation in domestic and foreign policy. However, his rule as a whole was not a lucky star because of major domestic and foreign policy problems. The most important act at the beginning of his reign was the conclusion of the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty of 1936, which was Egypt's immediate reaction to the Italian conquest of Ethiopia . Internally, the world economic crisis was completely overcome in 1937 and extensive social reforms were carried out. In the wake of the looming Second World War, Egypt was occupied in 1940 by the United Kingdom and served as a British base in the fight against the fascist Kingdom of Italy , which in 1942 just before the occupation of Alexandria stood. This circumstance triggered a serious government crisis in the same year . After the war, Faruq faced an emerging economic crisis. Despite the acceptance of violent protests in the population, he initially took a more conciliatory stance towards the newly established State of Israel in 1948 . The pressure of the street forced him, despite the economic problems, to take part in the Palestine War, which ended in 1949 with the defeat of Egypt and the other Arab states. In the beginning of the Cold War he tried to strengthen relations with the West and pursued a strictly anti-communist course . He tried to absorb the increasing domestic political tensions and the unbridled nationalism sparked by the war by proclaiming King of Egypt and Sudan in 1951. Faruq eventually rushed over the seemingly insoluble economic and domestic problems. With the revolution of July 23rd, he was deposed by the military under the leadership of Muhammad Nagib and Gamal Abdel Nasser and sent into exile in Italy .
Fu'ad II. (1952-1953)
The last king, Fu'ad II , was only a few months old when he was enthroned and was only de jure head of state . The guardianship for him was taken over by a Regency Council. However, the actual power lay with the newly formed " Egyptian Revolutionary Command Council " (RCC), which began as a de-facto government with the establishment of a military dictatorship . The removal of royalist forces from political life and important positions in the state began immediately, the police were infiltrated and made into a tool of repression for the new regime. Towards the end of August 1952, the aristocracy and the privileges and titles of the Egyptian and Sudanese nobility were abolished. All old political parties (including the Wafd party) that opposed the dictatorship were forcibly dissolved and numerous politicians and followers of the old regime were arrested. The constitution was repealed and a transitional constitution was drawn up. Other important topics of his short reign were the implementation of a land reform , the expropriation of the long-established European minority and the beginning of a centrally planned economy . In terms of foreign policy, there was a distancing from the West and a reference to the Soviet Union . Fu'ad II's rule came to an end with the abolition of the monarchy on June 18, 1953. He was then exiled to his family and now lives in Switzerland .
See also
Remarks
- ↑ Coronation as king of Egypt and Sudan after constitutional amendment.
- ↑ Faruq declared his resignation and abdication after the military coup
Individual evidence
- ^ Farouk's Realm Limited; US Does Not Recognize Him as King of the Sudan . In: The New York Times , Nov. 17, 1951, p. 3. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
- ^ Vatican Disputes Cairo; Denies Having Agreed to Accept Envoy of "King of the Sudan" . In: The New York Times , December 1, 1951, p. 4. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
- ^ Dolf Sternberger , Bernhard Vogel , Dieter Nohlen , Klaus Landfried (eds.): The election of parliaments and other state organs / Volume II: Africa: Political organization and representation in Africa De Gruyter, 1978, ISBN 978-3-11-004518- 5 , pp. 247-248.
- ↑ Yunan Labib Rizk: Crowning moment. Ahram Weekly, Aug 3, 2005, p. 753