Two months ahead of the presidential elections, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi reviewed “achievements” that have been realized since he assumed office in 2014.
He emphasized that “the state's goal is to overcome the challenging circumstances it has faced since the 1980s and to envision Egypt in the place it deserves.”
Sisi spoke during the Story of Homeland Conference, which kicked off Saturday at Egypt’s New Administrative Capital. The event is meant to highlight the state’s efforts over the past decade.
"That is what has been attained and you still have a chance for change during the upcoming presidential election,” he stressed.
Sisi pointed to the fulfillment of the New Suez Canal project in spite of malicious rumors about the project, in addition to combating terrorists.
Moreover, he reaffirmed that a significant portion of the work he has undertaken aimed at “restoring confidence among Egyptians, a matter that saboteurs are currently attempting to undermine.”
Sisi, 68, has not officially announced his candidacy for the upcoming presidential elections slated for December 10.
The elections will span three consecutive days. However, several political parties, holding a parliamentary majority, have declared their support for Sisi’s candidacy for a new term.
Sisi is eligible to run for a third term, following a constitutional amendment in 2019 that extended the presidential term from four years to six years. This paves the way for him to remain in office until at least 2030.
Egyptians are grappling with a decline in their purchasing power due to a surge in inflation, which reached a new record in August, reaching approximately 40%.
Moreover, the country has witnessed a sharp depreciation of the Egyptian pound in recent months, losing nearly 50% of its value against foreign currencies.
The Suez Canal stands as a primary source of foreign exchange for Egypt.
According to Sisi, the income from the canal stood at approximately $4.5 billion, but according to experts, the plan is for the canal’s revenues to reach around $12 billion during the years 2024-25.
The president pointed out that the current income from the canal, following the completion of the New Suez Canal project, is now approximately $10 billion, and it is expected to rise to around $10.5 billion by the end of 2023.
