Editing Gamal Abdel Nasser (section)

=== 1956 constitution and presidency ===
[[File:Nasser voting constitutional referendum.jpg|thumb|upright|left|alt=A man wearing a suit inserting a piece of paper into a box. He is being photographed by cameramen|Nasser submitting his vote for the referendum of the proposed constitution, 23 June 1956]]
With his domestic position considerably strengthened, Nasser was able to secure primacy over his RCC colleagues and gained relatively unchallenged decision-making authority,<ref name="Jankowski65-6" /> particularly over foreign policy.<ref name="Jankowski67">{{Harvnb|Jankowski|2001|p=67}}</ref>

In January 1956, the new [[Egyptian Constitution of 1956|Constitution of Egypt]] was drafted, entailing the establishment of a single-party system under the National Union (NU),<ref name="Jankowski67" /> a movement Nasser described as the "cadre through which we will realize our revolution".<ref>{{Harvnb|Alexander|2005|p=126}}</ref> The NU was a reconfiguration of the Liberation Rally,<ref name="Ansari84">{{Harvnb|Ansari|1986|p=84}}</ref> which Nasser determined had failed in generating mass public participation.<ref name="Peretz242">{{Harvnb|Peretz|1994|p=242}}</ref> In the new movement, Nasser attempted to incorporate more citizens, approved by local-level party committees, in order to solidify popular backing for his government.<ref name="Peretz242" /> The NU would select a nominee for the presidential election whose name would be provided for public approval.<ref name="Jankowski67" />

Nasser's nomination for the post and the new constitution were put to [[1956 Egyptian referendum|public referendum]] on 23 June and each was approved by an overwhelming majority.<ref name="Jankowski67" /> A 350-member [[People's Assembly (Egypt)|National Assembly]] was established,<ref name="Ansari84" /> elections for which were held in July 1957. Nasser had ultimate approval over all the candidates.<ref name="Peretz241">{{Harvnb|Peretz|1994|p=241}}</ref> The constitution granted [[women's suffrage]], prohibited discrimination by sex, and entailed special protection for women in the workplace.<ref>{{Harvnb|Sullivan|1986|p=80}}</ref> Coinciding with the new constitution and Nasser's presidency, the RCC dissolved itself and its members resigned their military commissions as part of the transition to civilian rule.<ref name="Dekmejian45">{{Harvnb|Dekmejian|1971|p=45}}</ref> During the deliberations surrounding the establishment of a new government, Nasser began a process of sidelining his rivals among the original Free Officers, while elevating his closest allies to high-ranking positions in the cabinet.<ref name="Jankowski67" />