Supporters of the regime see any signs of economic improvement as evidence that Sisi’s policies are working, and that the current political situation—in which the government is introducing top-down reforms to relaunch the economy without tolerating much political pluralism—should be maintained.
Sisi’s opponents worry that economic recovery would boost the popularity and legitimacy of his authoritarian and repressive regime, helping him to consolidate his power. They stress that neither growth nor investment can fully recover amid rampant violence and a constrained political environment. And many regime opponents see continued economic crisis as a way to extract political concessions in the areas of basic rights and liberties—which may explain why some have tried to derail the recovery efforts and downplay any signs that they are working.
But economic recovery does not appear to be automatically related to power consolidation. While recovery might help Sisi tighten his grip on the state, it could exacerbate the many political and social problems facing the regime. Indeed, continued economic deterioration—that is, the absence of recovery—might also deepen the regime’s political crises. Ironically, worse economic conditions and intensified social conflict and civil unrest could help the regime to consolidate power if that is seen as the only option against further instability and chaos.
Read more at: http://carnegie-mec.org/2015/05/20/economic-recovery-in-egypt-won-t-guarantee-political-stability/i8sm