The election of Hosni Mubarak as President of Egypt occurred just one week after the assassination of President Anwar Sadat, which was a shocking event that sent waves of uncertainty throughout the nation and the Arab world. Sadat was assassinated on October 6, 1981, during a military parade in Cairo, an act orchestrated by extremists who opposed his peace efforts with Israel. His assassination left a power vacuum at a time when Egypt faced numerous challenges, including economic difficulties, social unrest, and the ongoing ramifications of the 1979 Camp David Accords.

Upon Sadat's death, Vice President Hosni Mubarak was quickly positioned to step into the leadership role, largely due to his background in the military and his status as a loyalist to Sadat. On October 14, 1981, Mubarak was officially elected as President by the People’s Assembly, a legislative body in Egypt. The election process was characterized by limited competition, as it was clear that the ruling National Democratic Party intended to maintain tight control over the political landscape. Mubarak's leadership style would later be defined by a strong executive approach, with an emphasis on stability and continuity in both domestic and foreign policy.

Mubarak's presidency marked the beginning of a nearly 30-year rule characterized by economic reform, political repression, and a shift towards a more open market economy, albeit with mixed results. During this period, he attempted to balance the demands of an increasingly demanding populace with the need to maintain tight control over dissent and opposition, which would define much of Egypt's political scene in the years to come.