Egypt’s National Dialogue suspends discussions due to presidential election

CAIRO – 23 September 2023: The Board of Trustees of the Egyptian National Dialogue decided to suspend all dialogue sessions (closed or public) due to the presidential election due to convene next year, said Talaat Abdel-Qaway, a member of the dialogue, in comments to Al Masry Al Youm on September 21.

The Board of Trustees added that it maintains equal distance from all presidential candidates.

The National Dialogue's administration highlighted that their Board of Trustees views the upcoming presidential elections as an invaluable opportunity. This perspective is aimed at fostering shared spaces among all facets of Egyptian society, from its elites to its masses.

Such a move is seen as foundational for the new republic, especially in alignment with the president's call for dialogue. This comes at a time when constitutional procedures for presidential elections are about to commence. Historically, such elections have always represented the pinnacle of political and constitutional mandates in Egypt's modern era.

The National Elections Authority (NEA), headed by Judge Walid Hamza, will hold a conference on Monday, September 25, at 2:30 p.m. in the conference hall in Nasr City, to announce all the details regarding the upcoming presidential elections.

Egypt is preparing for its fifth multi-candidate presidential election and its third since the 30th of June 2013 Revolution.

Several leading figures from renowned political parties have announced plans to run for elections, including Abdel-Sanad Yamama, head of El-Wafd Party and Hazem Omar, head of the People’s Republican Party.

The constitution does not give the right for a president to run for a third term. However, constitutional amendments in 2019 stretched the presidential term to six years instead of four.

Therefore, incumbent President Sisi, who has been serving since 2014, exceptionally has the right to run for a third term until 2030.

Sisi has not announced plans to run for elections to date. However, tens of political parties and unions have announced support to his potential candidacy, including the parliamentary majority party Mostaqbal Watan.

Additional reporting by Walaa Ali