He returns, unsurprisingly, for a new six-year term. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi won the presidential election with 89.6% of the vote, the National Elections Authority announced on Monday. Participation reached an “unprecedented” rate of 66.8% among Egypt’s 67 million voters, said the head of the Authority, Hazem Badawy. More than 39 million voters voted for Mr. Sissi, at the head of 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. The victory of Abdel Fattah al-Sissi guarantees him a third term starting in April and supposed to be the last, in accordance with the Egyptian Constitution.
Inflation of 36.4%
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 2014 and 2018 presidential elections, the president won with more than 96% of the votes. Many Egyptians who support believe that he is the architect of the return to calm in the country after the chaos following the “revolution” of 2011 and the fall of Hosni Mubarak after 30 years of reign. From the start of his first term, Mr. Sissi promised to bring stability, including economic stability.