Sisi proposes program to prepare candidates for Presidency

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi introduced a program on Saturday aimed at preparing potential future presidential candidates, specifically targeting individuals with doctoral degrees from top Egyptian or foreign universities. The initiative, which would span 30 months, would be conducted at the Egyptian Military Academy, with the goal of equipping participants with a deep understanding of the Egyptian state, governance mechanisms, and their role in preserving it.

The program would cater to candidates aged between 40 and 50 who meet the legal requirements to run for president. President Sisi suggested that the Military Academy would bear all expenses related to the training, regardless of the program's size, ranging from 200 to 500 participants. The president urged the Speaker of Parliament to work with a select group of trusted individuals, including experts from the Ministries of Higher Education and Justice, to draft a legislative framework governing the election of qualified candidates.

President Sisi cautioned that no individual with malicious intent, a criminal record, or a traitorous disposition shall ever serve as Egypt's leader, reinforcing the nation's commitment to preserving its institutions. The specifics surrounding participant selection criteria and how the qualification process aligns with the existing constitutional and legal requirements for presidential candidacy remain undisclosed.

This proposal comes as the Egyptian Constitution mandates certain criteria for presidential candidates, such as a minimum age of 40 and the need for parliamentary or public endorsement, as per established legal procedures.