Egypt’s National Elections Authority announced Monday that outgoing President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi had been re-elected as Egypt’s leader with 89.6% of the vote, unsurprisingly securing another six-year term. . More than 39 million voters voted for him, while participation reached an “unprecedented” rate.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi won Egypt’s presidential election with 89.6% of the vote, unsurprisingly securing a new six-year term, the National Elections Authority announced on Monday. Authority head Hazem Badawy said turnout reached an “unprecedented” rate of 66.8% among Egypt’s 67 million voters. More than 39 million voters voted for Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, who has led the country for a decade.
The president was opposed to three candidates: Hazem Omar, leader of the Republican People’s Party and second in the vote with 4.5% of the vote, Farid Zahran, leader of a small left-wing party and Abdel-Sanad Yamama, of the Wafd, a century-old party but now marginal. Abdel Fattah al-Sissi’s victory ensures him a third term starting in April and supposed to be his last, in accordance with the Egyptian Constitution.
Not a surprise
His election is no surprise in the country of 106 million beset by multiple crises, ranging from purchasing power to the war in the neighboring Gaza Strip. In the midst of an economic crisis, inflation is currently at 36.4% while the currency has lost half its value and the prices of some basic foods are increasing every week.
Two thirds of the population live below or just above the poverty line. In the presidential elections of 2014 and 2018, Abdel Fattah al-Sissi won with more than 96% of the votes.