No surprise for Egyptians at Sisi's 'foregone' victory in presidential elections

Egyptian activists and analysts are not surprised at the results of Egypt's presidential elections, which saw incumbent President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi win for a third and last term that ends in 2030.

Egypt's National Elections Authority (NEA) officially announced on Monday, 18 December, that Sisi emerged victorious in the country's presidential elections after garring 39.7 million votes, or 89.6 per cent of valid votes.

"The election results are not a bolt from the blue in a country facing an unforgiving economic crisis amid other external challenges such as the ongoing offensive on the Palestinian Gaza Strip bordering Egypt's North Sinai province and the civil war in neighbouring Sudan," a prominent political analyst told The New Arab on condition of anonymity.

Many ridiculed an already foregone conclusion on social media, while others hoped for a better tomorrow.

Sisi during his new term will have to focus on the economy which is in shambles. He needs to quell rising discontent over high prices of food and basic commodities and a surging debt. He will also have the tough job of keeping Gaza conflict from spilling over into Egypt.

— shahiraamin13 (@sherryamin13) December 18, 2023

Shortly after the results were announced, Sisi appeared in a televised speech, thanking Egyptians for their political participation.

"I have been overwhelmed by the scene of you [the citizens] lining up and involvement [to vote], which clearly indicates the efficiency of all segments of the Egyptian society….It confirms how the Egyptians' will has prevailed," Sisi said, addressing the Egyptian people.

"I would like to express my deep appreciation and gratitude to all Egyptians….at a time when we have been facing a set of challenges on all levels; on top of them is the ongoing war on our eastern borders… It's as if the Egyptians collectively expressed their rejection of the war [on Gaza]," Sisi added.

"In the months preceding the vote, the wars and the economic crisis have been factors used as promotional tools by pro-regime media outlets to boost Sisi's already compromised popularity among citizens," the political analyst told TNA.

Meanwhile, many expressed relief on social media towards Sisi's triumph, being viewed as a saviour who had saved Egypt from a dark future of the country being run by Islamist President Mohamed Morsi, an affiliate of the Muslim Brotherhood group, outlawed since 2014.

Sisi came to power a year after overthrowing Morsi in a military coup when he was the defence minister.

"Like the case with ousted late President Honsi Mubarak, Egyptians have never been offered alternative options for the seat. Nor have any influential politicians or leaders allowed to appear in the political arena without being persecuted," the political analyst argued.

"A ruler in Egypt and the region in general never leaves unless faced by a coup, a revolution, or falls dead," the political sociologist said sarcastically. 

Previous presidential elections from 2014 onwards gave improbable majorities to Sisi, and the detention of rival candidates marked all.

Two presidential hopefuls had earlier withdrawn from the race for not meeting the required conditions, including Ahmed Tantawi, ex-MP and journalist, and Gameela Ismail, the Al-Dostour party chairwoman and a former journalist.

Tantawi has been facing a criminal trial with 22 of his campaigners for allegedly circulating unauthorised printed forms of endorsement for the elections, among other charges.