Tunisia’s Presidential Election: Saied Set for Victory Amidst Controversy

Incumbent President Kais Saied is likely to secure a second term in Tunisia’s presidential election with around 89.2% support amid a historic low turnout of less than 28%. Major opposition candidates faced severe restrictions, including imprisonment. Saied’s presidency has seen rising authoritarianism and economic instability, reflecting a significant regression in Tunisia’s democratic aspirations.

Tunisia is poised for political continuity as incumbent President Kais Saied appeared set to secure a second term in the presidential election that concluded on Sunday evening. While the official results will be confirmed early next week, an exit poll broadcast on public television indicated that President Saied garnered an overwhelming 89.2% of the vote amidst a disheartening voter turnout of less than 28%. This turnout represents the lowest participation in a presidential election in Tunisia since the 2011 revolution that marked its transition from authoritarian rule. Saied’s main competitors included Zouhair Maghzaoui, a former lawmaker who had earlier supported the president’s consolidation of power in 2021, and who was projected to receive approximately 3.9% of the vote according to the exit poll. The other candidate, Ayachi Zammel, a relatively unknown businessman currently imprisoned for signature forgery, was anticipated to acquire about 6.9% of the votes. The election highlighted a climate of exclusion, as key opposition figures, including Rached Ghannouchi of the Ennahdha party and Abir Moussi of the Free Destourian Party, are either imprisoned or barred from participation, effectively silencing dissent. The electoral commission, appointed by Saied, has faced criticism for lacking impartiality, further casting shadows on the integrity of the election process. The recent political landscape illustrates a stark departure from Tunisia’s early democratic ambitions following the Arab Spring, as Saied has systematically restricted political freedoms and undermined democratic institutions. Throughout his presidency, Saied has confronted significant economic challenges, marked by shortages, high unemployment, and substantial inflation. His reluctance to implement necessary austerity measures has hindered potential financial support from the International Monetary Fund, which leaves Tunisia reliant on recovering tourism and EU assistance, contingent on stricter migration controls. The present scenario raises concerns over Tunisia’s democratic trajectory and the prospects for political reform as President Saied consolidates his power.

The political and social landscape in Tunisia has witnessed tumultuous changes since the Arab Spring revolution in 2011, which inspired hope for democratic governance following years of autocratic rule under Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Kais Saied, who assumed the presidency in 2019, initially represented a break from the past; however, his subsequent actions—shutting down parliament, rewriting the constitution, and curbing civil liberties—signal a regression towards authoritarianism. This shift raises alarms regarding the health of democracy in the country, particularly with reports of political detentions and the exclusion of significant opposition figures from the electoral process.

In conclusion, the recent presidential election in Tunisia underscores a troubling direction for its democracy, as incumbent Kais Saied exploits systemic barriers to stifle opposition and secure an anticipated second term. With voter turnout at an all-time low and key political figures imprisoned, significant questions remain regarding the legitimacy of the electoral process and the future of Tunisia’s political landscape amid ongoing economic challenges and repression.

Original Source: www.dw.com