Egypt’s presidential election has turned into a contest between the ex-army chief lauded by millions for ousting an Islamist government and a leftist who claims to be represent the ideals of the 2011 uprising.
Former army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is the frontrunner in the May 26-27 vote, riding a wave of popularity after deposing Mohamed Morsi, the country’s first elected and civilian president.
Sisi’s sole rival is Hamdeen Sabbahi, who came third in the 2012 election which Morsi won, and is seen by supporters as the only leader representing the aspirations of those who revolted against the dictatorship of Hosni Mubarak in 2011.
Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood will not feature in the election. Not only is it boycotting the vote, but it has also been blacklisted as a “terrorist” organisation amid a brutal crackdown by the military-installed authorities, despite sweeping all elections since Mubarak’s fall.
The movement’s top leaders are behind bars, and its members are blocked from contesting any poll.
Next month’s vote comes against the backdrop of unprecedented violence set off by Morsi’s overthrow.
Amnesty International says more than 1,400 people have died in the police crackdown targeting Morsi’s supporters, while over 15,000 have been jailed.
The authorities say more than 500 people, mostly policemen and soldiers, have been killed in militant attacks since the overthrow of Morsi.
It is precisely this insecurity from which Sisi derives his unparalleled popularity, as supporters see in him a leader capable of bringing stability to the country.
Since a military coup in 1952, every president in Egypt has come from the military, except Morsi.
“Today, Egypt is at a crossroads — it’s either ‘bread, freedom and social justice’ which was the slogan of the 2011 revolt, or stability,” said political analyst Gamal Abdel Awad.
With the economy in ruins, many are looking to Sisi to return the stability needed to reassure investors and tourists.
But Sabbahi hopes to capitalise on fears that Sisi represents a return to the authoritarian era of Mubarak, as the ongoing crackdown against the Muslim Brotherhood has also targeted some leading activists of the 2011 revolt
