Zahran: Sisi’s Denial of Constitutional Changes Signals No Intention to Stay in Power

Farid Zahran, head of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party, said President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s denial of plans to change the constitution also amounted to a denial of any intention to remain in power after his presidency ends.

Zahran linked his assessment to the language briefly used by Egyptian media to describe Sisi, particularly the title “president-leader.”

He said the short-lived use of that description suggested there had been discussion about the president’s position once his time in office was over.

Zahran presented the wording as an indication of debate over Sisi’s future role, rather than confirmation of a specific arrangement. His remarks drew a connection between the question of constitutional changes and the broader issue of what would follow the end of Sisi’s presidency.