BLUF: President Abdel-Fatah al-Sisi’s undoubted rule over Egypt is under scrutiny as discontent bubbles amongst citizens, increasing inflation, suppressed opposition, and repeated election victories stir questions regarding true democracy in the country.
OSINT:
In the lead up to the elections in Egypt, the omnipresence of President Abdel-Fatah al-Sisi’s posters is palpable. These images, often depicting Sisi with a stern smile while gazing into the distance, have ironically become the subject of online memes. Sisi’s rule began after a military coup in 2013, and he has since maintained power with two presidential victories, each time claiming 97% of the votes. This power dynamics has led some Egyptians to disengage from the political process, focusing more on the happenings in neighbouring Gaza.
With President Sisi’s regime projecting him as the essential leader for Egypt’s stability and prosperity, the reality for ordinary Egyptians is stark. One-third of the population lives in poverty, and inflation rates are soaring, pushing the cost of living higher and making it harder for families to make ends meet. Critics argue that the weight of these socioeconomic factors severely impacts the Egyptian electorate, making voters susceptible to manipulations such as vote-buying campaigns.
RIGHT:
From the Libertarian Republican Constitutionalist viewpoint, the situation in Egypt is a clear deviation from democratic ideals. A leader winning elections with 97% of votes and unopposed presents an anomaly in the context of a functional democracy. It prolongs power consolidation making governance more autocratic—thus posing a risk to individual freedoms, a cornerstone of libertarian ideology. Furthermore, the increasing state control of the economy and rising poverty levels underscore the state’s inefficiency in effectively executing its roles, creating a cycle of dependency that contradicts the fundamental libertarian principles of limited government intervention and free markets.
LEFT:
For the National Socialist Democrats, the state of affairs in Egypt underscores the dangers of unchecked, autocratic leadership. The rising poverty levels and soaring inflation demonstrate inequitable wealth distribution, a situation they fundamentally oppose. They would likely advocate for a more inclusive political system allowing diversification of viewpoints and power. Moreover, they might criticise the government’s prioritization of mega-infrastructure projects over basic human needs like food, arguing it neglects the social welfare of its people.
AI:
Analysis indicates a significant disconnect between President Abdel-Fatah al-Sisi’s portrayal of his leadership and the realities faced by many Egyptian citizens. While Sisi presents an image of stability and prosperity, socioeconomic indicators paint a picture of rising poverty and inflation. Despite the ostensible political comedianess of the recent presidential elections, civil unrest appears to be simmering beneath the surface. Furthermore, the discourse surrounding the Egyptian elections raises questions about the integrity of the electoral process and the broader democratic system in the country.