CAIRO: Egypt's parliament was Tuesday voting whether to change the constitution to allow general-turned-president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to potentially stay in power until 2030.
Here is a look back on his presidency:
- Five years in power -
Riding a populist wave after militarily overthrowing Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013, Sisi cruises to victory to become president in elections on May 28, 2014 winning nearly 97 percent of the vote.
Towards the end of 2015, a new parliament stacked with loyalist MPs is elected.
In March 2018, Sisi is re-elected with 97.08% of the vote. His only opponent was one of his ardent supporters.
On 3 February 2019, lawmakers file a draft set of constitutional amendments which could allow Sisi, now 64 years old, to remain president till 2030.
- Repression -
From his arrival in power, Sisi launches a bold campaign to crackdown on critics.
Following the 2013 military overthrow, thousands of Islamists are arrested and hundreds sentenced to death in expedited trials deemed unfair by rights groups.
Several journalists, opposition members and secular dissidents from the January 2011 revolution, who were key in deposing long-time autocrat Hosni Mubarak, are imprisoned.
Yet, most of Mubarak's close circle of elites are acquitted mainly on charges of corruption. Mubarak himself is acquitted for killing protesters during the 2011 revolution and released in March 2017.
Many human rights activists are banned from leaving the country.
The authorities routinely deny allegations of rights violations.
- Militant attacks -
Egypt has had to contend with many terror attacks led mainly by the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group. Sisi has used this to justify his counter-terrorism policies.
The hardened insurgency in the largest Arab country has seen attacks on security forces especially in the northeastern Sinai Peninsula.
On 31 October 2015, 224 passengers are killed in an Russian Airbus A321 crash, for which IS claims responsibility.
On August 24 2017, gunmen open fire in a Sinai mosque killing more than 300 worshippers - making it the deadliest attack in Egypt's recent history.
IS is suspected of being behind the attack, but never claims responsibility.
In February 2018, the army launches a large scale military operation targeting extremist Islamic militants in the restive northern part of the Sinai.
More than 600 militants and 40 soldiers have been killed, according to official figures.
- Aid package -
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In November 2016, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approves a $12 billion loan to Egypt.
The aid package imposes strict economic reform conditions though. Egypt has to implement severe austerity measures including devaluing the pound (the national currency) and slashing subsidies.
Fuel and electricity prices have spiked in recent years amid a worrying rise in inflation.
- International support -
A whole host of international powers embrace the Egyptian strongman after he takes up the reigns of power.
Russian President Vladimir Putin travels to Cairo for the first time in 10 years in February 2015 and signs an agreement for Egypt's first nuclear power plant.
In late March 2015, the United States lifts a partial freeze in military aid to Egypt.
On August 6 2015, the unveiling of the expansion of the Suez Canal is opened in the presence of then French president Francoise Hollande. Several arms deals are inked and President Emmanuel Macron visits Cairo in 2019.
In April 2016, Saudi King Salman visits, relaunching ties between the two countries. His son Mohamed bin Salman strategically choses Cairo for his maiden tour as new crown prince in March 2018.
But the most enthusiastic endorsements come from US President Donald Trump. Sisi visits Washington on April 3 2017 where Trump says he is doing "a fantastic job".
He makes a second visit to the White House on April 9 this year.
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