Speaking during an interactive dialogue with new applicants at the Police Academy, El-Sisi stressed that elections are a vital process through which citizens select those who will responsibly represent them.
He cautioned voters against accepting incentives in exchange for their ballots. “If someone gives you a gas cylinder, a coupon, money—anything—to make you choose an unfit person, you’ve gained nothing,” he said.
“Nothing you take is worth empowering someone incapable of carrying your voice and your country’s interests.”
The president emphasized the need to prioritize competence, integrity, and awareness. “Choosing honourable, dedicated, capable, and educated people is priceless,” he said.
Egyptians should approach the choice with the same seriousness as “evaluating a suitor for one of your sisters,” El-Sisi added.
“Understand what it takes to safeguard the state. Don’t underestimate your voice. Do your research and choose who can truly represent you,” he added, calling on citizens to participate in the upcoming polls.
El-Sisi's comment came 24 hours after he urged the National Elections Authority (NEA) to exercise “full diligence” in reviewing incidents reported in several constituencies witnessing tight races between individual candidates in the ongoing Parliamentary elections.
He also urged the authority to take decisions that “faithfully reveal the true will of the voters.”
On Tuesday, the NEA announced the annulment of votes in 19 of the 70 constituencies where individual candidates had competed in the first phase, citing “violations.”
The authority also released a new timetable for the repeat elections in those constituencies.
Debt is the issue
Concerning the economic situation of Egypt, El-Sisi emphasized that reducing Egypt’s debt burden is essential for improving the lives of families, particularly youth. Lower debt, he said, allows for higher wages and better services.
He explained that Egypt needs a budget of EGP 50 trillion a year—without borrowing—to meet its needs. “If we borrow to fill the gap, we damage the state. We reduced borrowing by limiting subsidies as much as possible.”
He noted that subsidies remain significant, as fuel, bread, electricity and commodities combined cost the state about EGP 600 billion annually.
He added that Egypt consumes 250–300 million butane cylinders per year, with butane subsidies previously reaching EGP 250 per cylinder, costing the state EGP 30 billion annually.
“I know the solution is painful and difficult, but there is no alternative,” he said, adding that debt is simply the gap between available resources and required spending.
He said Egypt only began accumulating debt after 1970 due to the consequences of the 1967 war. “Before 1970, Egypt was not indebted; spending matched needs,” he said.
He stressed that eliminating debt is possible but requires collective will, societal understanding and long-term discipline.
Million Egyptian coders
El-Sisi encouraged young people to benefit from national digital training programmes, especially the Digital Pioneers Initiative, which is divided into three phases lasting from four months to two years.
He said the state has expanded digital training facilities, converting the old Military Academy campus into labs capable of hosting up to 5,000 students.
He noted that 149 participants advanced to the final “master’s level” phase, saying: “I dream of seeing a million young Egyptians at this level, earning from $5,000 to $30,000 a month—whether from home or global companies.”
Irregular migration to EU
Concerning the relations with Europe, the Egyptian president spotlighted Egypt’s responsible, humanitarian approach toward irregular migration.
He said the European Union decided to elevate relations with Egypt to a “comprehensive strategic partnership”, recognizing Egypt’s balanced and moderate policies over the past decade.
He said the EU closely monitored Egypt’s conduct on irregular migration. “I could have let migrants cross to Europe and then asked for billions. But we didn’t exploit the situation,” he said. Egypt instead chose a responsible, humanitarian approach, he added.
70 million tourists annually
Moving to tourism, El-Sisi said Egypt’s resources enable it to receive 60–70 million tourists annually, far above the current 14 million. He said the figure could double within a few years if stability continues.
“Security and stability are the foundation of tourism,” he said, noting that countries with long-term stability gain a major advantage in global tourism rankings. He described the Grand Egyptian Museum as only “a small step” in a much broader tourism development strategy.
El-Sisi revealed that Egypt will witness the establishment of a state-of-the-art media city within the next three years.
Education: Not just buildings
The president stressed that capable people are the real foundation of progress, not buildings alone.
“School buildings and facilities may be of the highest quality, but without qualified personnel, the desired outcomes will not be achieved.” He added
El-Sisi noted that the core of the educational system is preparing young people who can innovate across different fields — whether producing distinguished football players like Mohamed Salah or graduating talented youth in all sectors.
He also emphasized the need for a scientific approach to building the Egyptian character, with clear standards and objectives to ensure the development of national skills and capabilities.
Art's influence on Society
President El-Sisi said that “objective, rational media requires many years to shape a public mood that accepts it.”
He added that the artistic model presented for the past 60 years has shaped viewers’ perceptions in a certain way.
“We’ve been presenting a specific form of art for 60 years, and it has influenced us without us realizing — it has shaped our collective consciousness,” he said.
“Why have divorce rates increased? There was no focus on the woman who struggles alongside her husband. Instead, we showed women whose homes are unrealistically luxurious — villas and very expensive apartments that two-thirds of Egyptians cannot afford.”
“You watch television and wish your home looked like theirs, and while watching, you may find yourself dissatisfied with your father or your husband,” he added.
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