The start of the presidential campaigns saw the speeches made by presidential candidates, Marshall Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi and Mr. Hamdeen Sabahi, expressing   their knowledge and perception of domestic and international issues and how each would deal with these issues if they assume office. The speeches revealed the presidential platforms for each candidate, which were expressed through statements, press interviews, and dialogues with different media stations. Sabahi’s presidential campaign relies on three main pillars, freedom through a democratic system, social justice through comprehensive development, and ensuring dignity through national independence. 

Domestic issues

Both political speeches indicate that domestic issues are the current priority to both candidates.  The major obstacle since the “Arab Spring” has been solving domestic turbulence and not to focus on foreign policy issues unless they directly impact the domestic situation. Three political issues are considered to be central in the speeches made by each candidate, the issues of democracy, youth empowerment and the Muslim Brothers.

• Democracy: Al-Sisi only dealt with the issue of democracy in his last press interview with Al-Ahram and Al-Akhbar and till his position was unclear. He declared that democracy; freedom and social justice are the gains of the two revolutions and not to be questioned.  Al-Sisi presented democracy as an on-going thought, which has preoccupied him since his presentation of a paper on this issue for a fellowship to a U.S military academy. His research paper mentioned that prerequisites for democracy in the Middle East, include fighting illiteracy, raising the standard of education, changing religious rhetoric and improving the role of media. Sabahi presented a much clearer vision due to it being a main pillar of his presidential campaign. He emphasized that freedom should be protected by a political system that has division of power between the three branches of government, a parliament playing its legislative role and an independent judiciary to protect public and political rights.
• Youth empowerment: Sabahi has always proclaimed himself as a candidate representing the youth with the aim of transferring them from street politics to the ruling system. To enforce this Sabahi aims to increase youth representation from the presidential office to the municipal bodies. Al-Sisi revealed that he hoped to utilize the youth that have the caliber and ability to help propel the nation and will support their empowerment through youth clubs and centers nationwide.
• Muslim Brothers: Both candidates showed some similarities on how they intend to deal with the Muslim Brothers with different degrees of intensity. Al-Sisi stated that the Muslim Brothers would no longer exist during his presidency due to the popular refusal of their presence in the political life during the events of June 30th.  Sabahi claimed that he would deal with the group as Egyptian citizens but rejecting their presence in the political sphere and any political party based on religious rhetoric.
• Economic issues: The economic concerns for both candidates centered around two distinct ideas, the role of the state in the economy and the policies needed to overcome the country’s economic challenges.
• Role of the state: Al-Sisi revealed that the role of the state is indispensible and will be a main partner of a private sector, which would not replace the government. Al-Sisi stated that the state would interfere to adjust prices through opening parallel markets in order to provide vegetable, fruits and food products at reasonable prices. Sabahi believed that this could happen through the social role of the state through the reform of its entities and the combat of corruption to create a change in state policies to achieve the revolutions demands. This will depend on changing the policies set out by former presidents Mubarak and Morsi to find alternatives that cater to the average Egyptian citizen.
• Choice of policies: Both candidates highlighted the need to develop the industrial sector, enhance infrastructure, support Egyptian farmers, set minimum wage, foster tourism, and develop Sinai and Upper Egypt, as well as designing national projects to develop the Suez Canal, Nubian lands, New Valley development and the North Coast.  The difference between both candidates in this aspect is related to financing, as Al-Sisi is dependent on self-financing and the aid provided by Arab countries through foreign investment. Sabahi said that in order to finance these projects he would provide 130LE billion through combatting corruption, decreasing the public sector expenses and the cancellation of other expenses in unnecessary job.
• Social issues: The rate of poverty, slums and unemployment are also a priority for both candidates due to the unprecedented increase in the Egyptian poverty rate, which has reached 26% of the total population.
• Comprehensive development: Al-Sisi declared in his interviews the need to introduce a comprehensive development plan through adopting a national project that would enhance the Egyptian economy. However, his plan was not defined but an estimate of four years has been given to alleviate poverty. He stated that this would occur through providing jobs and allocating 3-4 billion LE for each governorate in order to develop infrastructure, which would provide jobs for the local population. Al-Sisi mentioned the need to connect the country through 4-5 thousand kilometers of road to allow for movement and integration.
• Social justice:  Sabahi declared his intention to combat poverty through relying on social justice and sustainable development. His plan aims to redirect government spending to alleviate poverty, target slum areas and combine economic growth with social justice.

Foreign policy

• Relationship with the United States: Both candidates agree on the importance of revising the U.S-Egypt relationship in order to guarantee a more balanced relationship that will serve the strategic interests of both countries. Both candidates addressed the importance of diversifying Egypt’s alliances, which was reflected by Al-Sisi’s visit to Russia as Minister of Defense.  The main difference between both candidates is that Sabahi announced the possibility that he would no longer accept American aid due to it being a form of external independence.
• Relationship with the Arab States: Both candidates perceive this relationship as highly important and as a focal point for Egyptian foreign policy. Al-Sisi pointed towards a peaceful solution in Syria and refused military intervention, which contradicts the stance of several Gulf countries, such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Both candidates hoped to foster relations with the countries, which supported the events of June 30th. Both pointed to a strong stance towards Qatar due to its support of the Muslim Brothers and due to Gulf security being an extension of Egyptian national security. Al-Sisi announced that the Egyptian army would support and defend any Arab state, which could be seen as a new Arab strategic partnership that may revitalize mutual Arab defense treaties.
• Relationship with African states: This issue is of paramount importance due to the current issue of Egypt’s Nile water rights. Both candidates believe that the solution to the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam could be achieved through dialogue and negotiation and in a manner that would protect Egypt’s historical rights in the River Nile. Mr. Sabahi adopts an institutional solution to deal with the River Nile issues, through the establishment of a regional entity with the Nile Basin countries that would guarantee mutual benefits and foster the Arab-African cooperation.

Expectations on each candidate’s tenure

• Personal aspect: Analysts viewed Al-Sisi as a realistic person who is self-confident with limited words and a military-like attitude.  He is perceived as disciplined with a clear strategy and his words do not carry any double meanings. As for Sabahi the character of former President Gamal Abdel Nasser inspires him. He is well spoken and has arranged thoughts, which he articulates well with the ability to connect with people.
• Target audiences: Al-Sisi speech addressed his target groups, which are those who have been affected by the continuous revolutionary status in Egypt, which seek stability. This was reflected by his refusal to cancel the protest law due to its importance in maintaining security and avoiding chaos.  This is a stark contrast to Sabahi who declared he would amend the law and release imprisoned youth.
• Dampened expectations: Al-Sisi hopes to dampen expectations due to the limited resources available to the state. This was reflected in his call to revise subsidy policies, increase production and for people to refrain from labor demands. Al-Sisi is also mindful that if expectations are high and not met it could result in dissent on the street. Sabahi’s speech was based on slogans, which are aimed at mobilizing voters but with no clear evidence on if the resources would allow him to fulfill those promises.
• Economic vision: Both candidates were not clear on the details of how they would finance their economic programs. They have both outlined general changes but have not delved into specifics on how to solve Egypt’s economic challenges.
• Foreign policy: Both candidates reflected their own perception with no changes in the overall Egyptian foreign policy. Therefore, it is not expected that any candidate will make structural changes to Egypt’s foreign policy.

** This article is published in coordination with Egyptian Studies Program at The Regional Center for Strategic Studies RCSS (Cairo)