With predictable finesse, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has once again triumphed in Egypt's presidential election, garnering an impressive 89.6% of the vote. This decisive victory, marking his tenth year in power, will secure him another half-decade in office, concluding his tenure according to the Egyptian constitution.
The election was surprisingly smooth, boasting an "unprecedented" 66.8% voter turnout, as declared by Hasim Badawi, chairman of the electoral authority. Yet, critics argue that the fairness of Egypt's voting process has been suspect since Al-Sisi ascended to power. Opposition parties have faced almost insurmountable hurdles, leaving the president's adversaries with minimal chances of victory.
In an unsurprising outcome, none of Al-Sisi's three challengers managed to garner 5% of the votes. Hasem Omar from the Republican People's Party received the most support with 4.5%. The remaining opponents, Farid Sahran, the head of the left-wing Social Democratic Party, and Abdel-Sanad Jamama of the national-liberal Wafd party, trailed far behind.
Historically, Al-Sisi has enjoyed staggering election results. In 2014 and 2018, he achieved 96% and 97% of the vote, respectively. The former army general orchestrated the 2013 military coup, ousting the democratically-elected President Mohammed Morsi from the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood. Al-Sisi has since ruled Egypt with an iron fist.
However, Al-Sisi still enjoys substantial backing from Egyptians, with support grounded in their belief that he can restore stability to the ailing nation. Struggling under the weight of a severe economic crisis and sky-high inflation, Egypt, home to a population approaching 106 million, continues to hope for stability and prosperity under Al-Sisi's leadership.
Note: The Muslim Brotherhood's influence and the military council's position during the election have significantly impacted the political landscape and public support for President Al-Sisi. Economic reforms have been implemented, some unpopular, yet President Sisi's approval ratings have remained relatively high. The outlook for Egypt's economy is cautiously optimistic, with projections of 4% growth by 2025.
Sources: - "Official result - President Al-Sisi wins election in Egypt with almost 90 percent" () - "Political Landscape and Public Support for President Sisi" (Enrichment Data)
