During an appearance on the television program Al-Hekaya
broadcast on MBC Egypt, journalist Magdy El-Gallad declined to name five potential future presidential candidates, stating in an exchange with host Amr Adeeb that you closed the politician factory over a period of 75 years.
The discussion unfolded as Adeeb challenged the guest to list five figures who could potentially succeed President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, whose final presidential term concludes in 2030.
The On-Air Challenge and the 75-Year Political Gap
Following a brief silence in the studio, El-Gallad responded after moments of silence by saying, Take all the money in my pocket,
while declining to offer any names and asking how he could be expected to name five candidates given the situation. El-Gallad also touched upon what Egypt might witness by 2030, expressing his hope that the establishment of the modern civil state would enhance future generations’ understanding of the principle of peaceful rotation of power and that a president does not remain in office forever, thereby paving the way for consolidating democratic practice and elections.
Did You Know? During the televised discussion on MBC Egypt, host Amr Adeeb noted that Egypt’s parliament includes 555 members, pointing to the legislative body while questioning the difficulty of identifying potential presidential contenders.
President El-Sisi Outlines 2030 Transition and Leadership Training
The exchange on television coincides with official statements from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi regarding the conclusion of his tenure. Speaking at a graduation ceremony for the Egyptian Military Academy and military colleges, President El-Sisi asserted that the year 2030 will mark the end of his presidency, emphasizing that this matter is completely settled
and that the Egyptian constitution will not be touched.
He stated that he will not leave the state unless it is equipped with its sons who are capable of bearing responsibility. Added President El-Sisi: I will bear this responsibility because God Almighty will ask me on the Day of Resurrection,
explaining that this committee will set the selection criteria, and I am saying this more than 40 months before the period ends so that no one can hype it up and say that I am preparing someone, whether from my family or relatives.
To prepare future leaders, the Egyptian Military Academy will oversee a specialized 30-month training program spanning more than 7,500 hours. Funded by the Armed Forces, the initiative aims to select and prepare roughly 400 to 500 candidates aged 40 to 50 years. President El-Sisi noted that the selection process will rely on criteria prioritizing competence and capability, with the goal of presenting the Egyptian public with a group from whom someone can be chosen to assume responsibility in the Egyptian state.
Expert Insight: The juxtaposition between televised debates over the political pipeline and state-backed leadership academies highlights a central tension in Egypt’s governance transition. While commentators debate the historical availability of seasoned political figures, formal state programs are stepping in to deliberately engineer a new cohort of administrators ahead of 2030.
El-Gallad declines to name future leaders and Sisi confirms term ends in 2030
What was Magdy El-Gallad’s response to Amr Adeeb’s question?
Magdy El-Gallad declined to name five potential future presidents, stating that the political system had effectively closed its mechanism for producing politicians over the course of 75 years.
When does President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s term end?
President El-Sisi confirmed that the year 2030 will mark the end of his presidential term, emphasizing that this timeline is completely settled and that the constitution will not be touched.
How long will the new leadership preparation program last?
The training program at the military academy will run for 30 months, encompassing more than 7,500 hours of instruction and rigorous testing for participants aged between 40 and 50.
How will the newly trained administrative cadres shape Egypt's future politics after 2030?
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