Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has rejected current plans to amend the country's constitution while addressing growing calls for him to remain in power beyond 2030.
Speaking at a televised gathering on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, he defended the existing constitutional framework but said Egyptians would determine the outcome of any future initiative.
According to The National, supporters of El Sisi have increasingly called for an extension of his presidency through public statements by loyal politicians and social media accounts associated with the government.
The campaign has gained momentum as opposition figures abroad intensify criticism of his administration.
El Sisi addressed the constitutional debate directly, emphasizing that the existing document should remain protected from interference.
"The nation has a constitution that we adopted. No one can touch it, no one can touch it," El Sisi told the gathering.
He also emphasized that the public would determine whether any proposed initiative succeeded, leaving the ultimate decision with Egyptians.
"So, don't let anyone mess with your heads. The people alone will decide the success or lack thereof of anything that's done," El Sisi said.
Egypt's current constitutional framework reflects amendments approved in a national referendum in 2019.
Before those changes, presidents faced a limit of two four-year terms.
The amendments retained the two-term restriction but extended each term to six years and counted El Sisi's first term as beginning in 2018 rather than 2014, when he was initially elected.
El Sisi, who won 89.6% of the vote in the 2023 presidential election, is scheduled to complete his final term in 2030.
His departure at that point would follow 16 years in office, barring further constitutional changes.
The constitutional debate is unfolding amid significant economic and regional pressures.
According to The National, the conflict involving Iran, disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, attacks on regional countries and strikes by Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthis have increased Egypt's energy import costs and severely affected Suez Canal revenue.
Supporters credit El Sisi with maintaining stability during regional turmoil, while critics blame government borrowing and infrastructure spending for worsening economic difficulties.
Disagreements over Ethiopia's dam on the Blue Nile also remain a concern because the river supplies more than 80% of the water reaching downstream.
Separately, El Sisi used an educational seminar on October 14 marking the 53rd anniversary of the October 1973 war victories to address Egypt's security and foreign policy.
Egyptian Streets reported that the event took place at the Al-Safwa International Conference Center at the Egyptian Military Academy in the New Administrative Capital.
Responding to remarks by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich concerning Sinai, El Sisi said Egypt had recovered its territory and had no ambitions against Israel.
He reaffirmed Cairo's commitment to the bilateral peace treaty and support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
El Sisi also said Egypt had spent more than EGP 120 billion during its 14-year fight against terrorism.
He described regional de-escalation, safe navigation and the stability of Gulf countries as priorities closely connected to Egyptian national security.
On domestic affairs, El Sisi warned of what he characterized as organized efforts to destabilize the state through social media, misinformation and attempts to undermine public understanding of the October 1973 war.
His remarks followed government calls for faster information sharing to counter rumors.
Meanwhile, Cairo Governor Ibrahim Saber attended a separate anniversary celebration at Rod El Farag Culture Palace, according to the Cairo Portal.
The event featured a seminar about the heroes of the October War, artistic performances and patriotic songs, and concluded with tributes to families of martyrs.
