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Egypt's president slices bread subsidies

A controversial decision by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to cut bread subsidies despite an earlier promise not to tamper with the price of subsidized loaves has raised concerns that this move may trigger a wave of unrest reminiscent of the bread riots of 1977.
Dozens of Egyptians take part in a demonstration in front of a government office against the decision of the Supply Ministry to limit the distribution of subsidized bread to holders of a new system of digital cards issued by the ministry, downtown Alexandria, Egypt,  March 7, 2017.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's call to raise the price of subsidized bread has sparked controversy in Egypt; supporters welcomed it as a wise and timely decision while critics condemned it as the last straw.

"It is time to increase the price of the 5 piaster loaf," Sisi said in reference to the subsidized bread provided to at least 60 million Egyptians. His comment came during the opening of a food production plant in Sadat City in the Northern Delta Aug. 3.  

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