Egypt’s Presidential Election Continues Amid Regional Tensions and Economic Challenges

Polling centers in Egypt opened today for the second day of the presidential election in which President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi’s victory seems assured.

The vote, which began across the Middle Eastern nation on Sunday, has been overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, complicating an already complex geopolitical landscape.

The economic crisis in Egypt, stemmed from mismanagement, the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, and the global economic fallout from the Russian war in Ukraine.

President el-Sissi, who came to power in 2014 after the military deposed an elected Islamist president, encounters limited opposition.

Other contenders in the election include Farid Zahran from the Social Democratic Party, Abdel-Sanad Yamama representing the Wafd Party, and Hazem Omar affiliated with the Republican People’s Party. Despite the prevailing challenges, el-Sissi’s triumph appears secure.

According to the National Election Authority in Egypt, the election is set to conclude on Tuesday, with a runoff scheduled for January 8-10 if no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote.