Sisi’s win about to be announced, but why a landslide, why a high voter turnout?

CAIRO - 18 December 2023: The result of Egypts presidential elections is expected to be announced in a few hours, with a landslide win for President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in store.

The National Elections Authority will hold a press conference, but initial reports say that voter turnout was at a 60 percent-high, and that Sisi won by over 80%. 

 Sisi’s victory should come at a time when his popularity has been bolstered by the Gaza crisis. 

Sisi’s opponents spread rumors that he would allow Palestinians in Gaza to cross into Sinai while Israel takes over the strip, just so Egypt’s international debts are relieved. The idea is one that both Egyptians and Palestinians strongly oppose. They say a temporary displacement always becomes permanent if Israel is involved, citing the 1948 ethnic cleansing of Palestinians that led to the biggest refugee crisis in the world.

Not only were these rumors proven wrong. But Egypt’s unwavering position publicly refusing the idea, strong support of the Palestinians, big amounts of aid, and tremendous efforts to get all aid into the enclave have been deeply appreciated by the public. 

In times of threats, Egyptians tend to favor a president with a military background such as Sisi.