Sisi To Run For Third Term As Egypt's President

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi declared his candidacy for a third term in office on Monday, ahead of the December elections where he is widely expected to secure victory. Speaking to a jubilant crowd in Egypt's newly established capital, Sisi, aged 68, responded to calls from the people and expressed his intention to pursue another presidential term. State-aligned television broadcasts captured scenes of celebration across the country, showcasing the public's support for the incumbent president. Earlier in the day, rallies were organized in Cairo, urging Sisi to officially enter the race. Sisi, whose tenure has been marked by a crackdown on dissent and allegations of human rights abuses, encouraged Egyptians to participate in the upcoming elections, even if they did not vote for him. He praised the emergence of other candidates, heralding it as the start of a vibrant political landscape characterized by pluralism. The president's announcement comes at a time when Egypt is grappling with a persistent economic crisis. Rising inflation, which has reached a record-breaking 39.7 percent, has taken a toll on the nation. Sisi's remarks during a recent conference, where he suggested that development should not come at the cost of hunger and deprivation, stirred controversy and criticism on social media, particularly in light of the dire economic situation. In this election, Sisi faces opposition candidates, including former parliamentarian Ahmed al-Tantawi, who is campaigning as the "rule of law" candidate. However, Tantawi must gather 25,000 nominations from Egyptians across at least 15 governorates by October 14 to become eligible, as he lacks parliamentary backing.