Domestic and international expectations rarely reveal dramatic shifts, yet the Egyptian political scene remains intensely watched. The presidential landscape featured Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who, after a decade in office, is anticipated to continue guiding the country toward 2030. Although he is not a candidate in this cycle, three rivals appear on the ballot. Critics warn that opposition voices face restrictions, with some dissidents detained or forced into exile. Human rights groups report that political arrests and actions against critics have become a routine element of governance since the early years of his rule, a pattern that began after the 2013 coup.
Election procedures in Egypt have often aligned with the appearance of broad consensus. Al-Sisi secured landslide victories with around 92 percent support in both 2014 and 2018, facing only a single opponent on each occasion. Voter turnout has fluctuated; participation rose to about 46 percent in prior cycles. The constitution originally limited a president to two terms, but amendments supported by the administration enabled a third term. Changes also extended the legislative term from four to six years, adjustments that some analysts argued were designed to sustain executive influence. The referendum that approved these constitutional changes drew a high approval rate, yet turnout remained relatively modest.
war in gaza
In the weeks leading up to the election, Egypt gained prominence on the world stage as the Gaza conflict intensified. The country positioned itself as a mediator in a crisis that captured global attention and shaped the domestic political discourse. Rabha Allam, a researcher at a Cairo-based center for political and strategic studies, noted that public reactions to the Gaza situation began to overshadow other domestic issues during the campaign, complicating how the election was perceived both locally and internationally.
Egypt’s role was especially critical around the Rafah border crossing, the principal entry point for humanitarian aid into Gaza and the corridor for evacuations of the wounded. Cairo’s stance reflected a need to balance humanitarian access with security considerations. Officials emphasized the necessity of timely aid while voicing concerns about large movements of people through the border. The government’s position highlighted fears that a significant Gazan influx could strain the Sinai region and complicate a broader regional security picture.
The stance also reflected longstanding tensions: while the country supported facilitating aid, it reserved the right to manage cross-border movements to safeguard national interests. This stance resurfaced amid concerns that a broader crisis could unfold and provoke further regional displacement. The border situation remained a focal point of diplomacy and security considerations throughout the period of heightened tension.
economic crisis
The Gaza crisis intersected with broader economic concerns as international donors urged stability and called on Egypt to cooperate in regional efforts. Institutions such as the European Union and the International Monetary Fund accelerated aid and economic support programs to help stabilize the economy during a period marked by global volatility. The election cycle thus unfolded against a backdrop of domestic financial strain and external assistance aimed at bolstering resilience.
Inflation surged, reaching levels around forty percent, a spike driven by several structural challenges and amplified by the global repercussions of the war, including disruptions to agricultural supply chains. Egypt relies heavily on grain imports from major producers, including countries affected by geopolitical tensions, which contributed to price pressures. The local currency weakened significantly against major international currencies, reducing purchasing power and complicating imports. These macroeconomic pressures fed broad public discontent in a country with a population nearing 110 million people across the region and continent of Africa, where social and economic policy debates are intensely followed.
Ten years of edition
Observers note that economic and social pressures have persisted under al-Sisi’s government. Human rights organizations have documented sustained concerns over civil liberties, reporting episodes of enforced disappearances and reports of torture in some cases. They also highlight restrictions on freedom of movement for certain individuals, including family members of political dissidents living abroad. These concerns have been a persistent element of the political landscape, shaping both international perception and domestic conversations around governance and accountability.