Egypt’s National Dialogue to suspend sessions until the end of presidential election

CAIRO – 21 September 2023: The National Dialogue said it will suspend all its sessions and activities until the end of the upcoming presidential elections.

In a statement on Thursday, the dialogue said its decision comes as the constitutional procedures for the presidential elections are about to be announced as indicated by the National Election Authority.

The dialogue is keen to ensure an appropriate positive climate for all its participants to participate in the elections without being influenced by the course of the dialogue, the statement said.

The decision also reflects the dialogue’s commitment to maintain the same distance from all candidates in the upcoming elections, the statement stressed.

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

Yesterday, the National Election Authority (NEA) said it will release the timetable of the upcoming elections in a press conference for the NEA’s chairman Walid Hamza on Monday.

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 Oman, head of the People’s Republican Party.

Also, Head of the opposition Egyptian Social Democratic Party Farid Zahran and Head of Egypt’s liberal Constitution Party (Al-Dostour) Gameela Ismail announced readiness to run in the elections.

Incumbent President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has not announced plans to run for reelection to date. However, tens of political parties and unions have announced support to his potential candidacy, including the parliamentary majority party Mostaqbal Watan.