Lead:
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued a presidential decree on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, ordering a 15% increase in pensions effective July 1, 2026. The announcement was accompanied by a weekly Cabinet session chaired by Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly, during which nine additional resolutions were approved. The developments coincide with preparations for the 13th anniversary of the June 30 Revolution, with Thursday, July 2, declared an official paid public holiday.
Details:
According to El-Balad and El-Fagr, the pension increase decree drew widespread praise from members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. MP Walaa al-Sobban described the measure as "a social achievement that reinforces citizens' rights," while Senator Tamer Abdel Hamid said it would "guarantee a dignified life for the elderly." MP Sayed Samir added that the decision "reflects the state's commitment to the living stability of millions of Egyptians," and MP Mohamed Beltagi, a member of the House Economic Affairs Committee, welcomed the move while calling for "broader measures to protect senior citizens." Tamer al-Habbal of the Mostaqbal Watan party described the directive as strengthening Egypt's overall economic stability framework.
El-Fagr reports that the Cabinet, chaired by Madbouly at the New Administrative Capital headquarters, approved nine resolutions during its weekly session. These included converting the General Authority for Cotton Arbitration and Testing into a public service body, extending the remote-work-on-Sundays arrangement through the end of July 2026, and authorizing the disposal of impounded and abandoned vehicles from holding yards. Madbouly opened the session by congratulating President al-Sisi and the Egyptian people on the 13th anniversary of the June 30 Revolution, calling it "a defining turning point in the nation's history." The Prime Minister also stated that Egypt looks forward to "a comprehensive and sustainable final agreement between the United States and Iran," according to Sada.
On the diplomatic front, El-Balad and El-Fagr report that Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the signing of eight cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding between multiple Egyptian ministries and the French Development Agency. Separately, Transport Minister Kamel al-Wazir participated in signing letters of intent to establish two applied technology schools in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the French Development Agency, at the Wardan Institute and in Badr City.
Watch For:
Whether the 15% pension increase will be accompanied by additional social protection measures, as several lawmakers have publicly called for a broader package targeting elderly and low-income citizens.
The outcome of Egypt's ongoing mediation posture regarding the Gaza ceasefire agreement, with Cairo maintaining a firm position on full implementation of all phases, as reported by El-Balad.
The results of the eighth Arab Parliament conference preparatory committee meeting convened in Cairo on Wednesday, where Arab Parliamentary Union President Mohamed bin Ahmed al-Yamahi warned that "the Arab world is passing through a sensitive and exceptional phase requiring solidarity."