Sisi campaign posts brief program on new website

After critics of presidential candidate Abdel Fattah al-Sisi repeatedly highlighted the absence of a public electoral program, a new website for the campaign posted one on Wednesday afternoon.

It was removed from the website after an hour, but a shorter version was later posted with 16 points, titled “The features of the future.”

In terms of economic policies, the program suggests an ascending taxation system and encourages the transfer of private companies to the public sphere. It also suggests a reconfiguration of the subsidy system, to ensure they are allocated to those who need them.

As for foreign policy, the program says it aims to attain peace in the Middle East and resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict through the formation of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

It suggests the formation of a supreme council for religious scholars under the umbrella of Al-Azhar, whose role is ambiguously described as “strengthening human principles, developing patriotic sentiments, uniting fronts and raising the value of citizenship.”

It discusses the movement of borders between different governorates to ensure a fairer distribution of services.

The program proposes “unprecedented” development in the capital and across the country, without detailing what this would actually consist of.

It suggests the building of eight new airports and three ports, in addition to new railways and roads and the development of a river transportation system.

Regarding health, the plan indicates the development of state-owned hospitals and clearer programs for the treatment of chronic diseases. It also suggests that the state should encourage social work to support the health sector and promises the allocation of a new endowment fund for this purpose.