Tunisia’s Presidential Election: Kais Saied on Path to Victory Amid Voter Apathy

President Kais Saied is predicted to win the Tunisian presidential election with 89.2 percent of the vote, amidst significant voter apathy with turnout under 30 percent. The election featured minimal competition due to the marginalization of opposition figures. Saied’s tenure has drawn criticism for autocratic tendencies, particularly following his dissolution of parliament and economic struggles affecting the country since his rise to power.

Tunisia’s presidential election appears to favor President Kais Saied, who is projected to secure an overwhelming 89.2 percent of the votes based on exit polls released on state television. This outcome would further solidify his control, following his significant consolidation of power in 2021. The official results are anticipated to be made public by Monday evening. A notable trend during this election was the widespread voter apathy, with less than 30 percent of eligible voters participating—only 27.7 percent, or 2.7 million individuals, cast their ballots. This voter turnout represents a stark decrease from the nearly 49 percent participation in the first round of the 2019 elections, marking a troubling decline for Tunisia’s democratic engagement since the 2011 Arab Spring revolution. In the presidential race, President Saied faced two challengers: Ayachi Zammel, an imprisoned businessman, and Zouhair Maghzaoui, a leftist candidate who once supported Saied. This election has been characterized by criticisms of the political landscape, as many opposition voices have been marginalized or imprisoned, leading to the perception of a lack of genuine competition. Since his election in 2019, President Saied has faced significant economic challenges and has executed a series of political moves that critics label as autocratic, most notably the dissolution of parliament in 2021 and the passing of a new constitution that expanded his executive powers. In a response to accusations regarding restrictions on potential candidates, Saied stated, “whoever talks about restrictions is delusional,” asserting that there are no limitations on the candidacy for the presidential elections, and emphasized his refusal to permit foreign influence. Moreover, Tunisia’s economy has been grappling with chronic issues, including soaring public debt that has increased from less than 40 percent of GDP in 2010 to over 80 percent currently, alongside a current account deficit now at 15 percent of GDP, exacerbated by global inflation and the impact of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The political climate in Tunisia post-Arab Spring has been tumultuous, with successive governments struggling to effectively address economic issues and political discontent. President Kais Saied’s rise to power in 2019 was propelled by public dissatisfaction with the political establishment, leading to hopes for reform. However, his tenure has increasingly drawn scrutiny due to increasing authoritarianism, as evident from his 2021 decision to dissolve parliament and rule by decree. The current presidential election serves as a crucial juncture in Tunisia’s democratic trajectory, taking place amid growing disillusionment among the electorate and allegations of electoral manipulation.

In conclusion, Tunisia’s recent presidential election reflects the complexities of its ongoing political evolution. With President Kais Saied poised for a landslide victory amidst significantly low voter turnout, the legitimacy of this electoral process has been deeply called into question. The combination of voter apathy and the consolidation of Saied’s power raises serious concerns about the future of democracy in Tunisia, as the country grapples with persistent economic challenges and accusations of rising authoritarianism under Saied’s leadership.

Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net