(http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/121211-cairo-2.photoblog600.jpg)Petr David Josek / APProtesters chant slogans during a demonstration in front of the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, on Sunday. By Ayman Mohyeldin, NBC News News analysis
CAIRO - With less than a week to go until a historic referendum is held on a draft constitution that has polarized Egypt, a looming constitutional cliff threatens to plunge the country into further political uncertainty, economic turmoil and violent instability.
First, a recap of the events of the past few weeks: On Nov. 22, President Mohammed Morsi issued a decree that gave him temporary but absolute powers. That decree also shielded the largely Islamist 100-member assembly writing the constitution from the threat of being dissolved by a judicial court order.
The assembly then drafted a constitution that has been widely criticized and divided the country into two main ideological camps.
NBCNews