His victory was hardly in doubt, it has now been confirmed. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi won the presidential election with 89.6% of the vote, unsurprisingly securing a new six-year term, the National Elections Authority announced on Monday (December 18th).
The head of the Authority, Hazem Badawy, said turnout had reached an "unprecedented" 66.8% among Egypt's 67 million voters. More than 39 million voters voted for Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who has been at the helm of the country since 2014.
Read alsoPresidential election in Egypt: Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, ten years of absolute power and realpolitik
The president was up against three candidates: Hazem Omar, leader of the Republican People's Party and second in the election with 4.5% of the vote, Farid Zahran, leader of a small left-wing party, and Abdel-Sanad Yamama of Wafd, a century-old but now marginal centre-right party.
Economic crisis
Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's victory secures him a third term starting in April and supposed to be his last, according to Egypt's constitution. His election comes as no surprise in the country of 106 million people, which has been plagued by multiple crises, ranging from purchasing power to war in the neighbouring Gaza Strip.
In the midst of the economic crisis, inflation is currently at 36.4% while the currency has lost half its value and the prices of some staple foods are rising every week.
Two-thirds of the population lives below or just above the poverty line. In the 2014 and 2018 presidential elections, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi won with more than 96% of the vote.
With AFP
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