Columnists continue to criticize lack of pluralism, democratic competition in presidential elections run-up

With the presidential elections on the horizon, columnists are shaking their heads at the expected lack of pluralism and democratic competition. This year’s elections are already looking painfully similar to those held prior to the 2011 revolution, with no proper presidential platforms being presented and people rushing to support the incumbent just to save their own skin, Ashraf El Barbary writes for Al Shorouk. Mohamed Amin also takes to the pages of Al Masry Al Youm to criticize parliamentarians’ blind rush to endorse President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, saying that this will only serve to undermine the president’s legitimacy once he wins a second term in office with no competition.