Egypt looks for alternatives to Sisi

The people of Egypt are looking for candidates to stand against Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi in the presidential election which should be held in June next year, the New Gulf reported on Sunday. However, there have also been reports about parliamentary moves to extend Al-Sisi’s term in office until 2020, as well as stirrings among the electorate for early elections for the presidency even before 2018.

Some prominent people are expected to challenge Al-Sisi, who is on record as saying that he will not run for a second term if the Egyptians do not want him to do so. A recent report in New Gulf said that Al-Sisi has insisted that he will only stand for a new term in office if “there is a popular will.” During a youth conference in April, he told the audience, “I will not remain in office for one second if the Egyptians reject me.”

According to the news website, the potential candidates include three judges, two generals and a human rights activist, but their names were not mentioned; presumably, say Al-Sisi’s critics, because they value their lives and liberty.

Read: In Sisi’s defence

Since the 2013 military coup, which was led by Al-Sisi against the first freely-elected President Mohamed Morsi, Egypt has faced serious economic and social conditions. These include price hikes for basic necessities; increasing unemployment; the collapse of the tourism industry; a brutal crackdown on political opposition; the detention of thousands of civilians; restrictions on free speech; the imposition of a state of emergency; political corruption; and the exploitation of public roles.