Tunisia’s Presidential Election: Kais Saied Poised for Landslide Win Amid Significant Voter Apathy

Kais Saied is projected to win Tunisia’s presidential election with 89.2 percent of votes amid a low voter turnout of 27.7 percent. The election faced criticism for perceived illegitimacy, as Saied’s opponents were marginalized. His presidency has been marked by economic challenges and increasing authoritarianism since 2021.

In the recent presidential election held in Tunisia, President Kais Saied appears poised for a significant reelection victory, garnering an expected 89.2 percent of the vote, as indicated by preliminary exit polls released by state television. This electoral success would further solidify his authority, following a series of controversial power consolidations that began in 2021. Official election results are anticipated to be made public on Monday evening. Voter participation was alarmingly low during this election, with only approximately 27.7 percent of eligible voters, equivalent to 2.7 million individuals, casting their ballots. This represents a notable decrease from the 49 percent turnout recorded in the initial round of the previous presidential elections in 2019. The apathy surrounding the electoral process has been attributed to the perception of the elections as a farce, as articulated by various opposition factions advocating for a boycott. President Saied faced two challengers in this election: imprisoned businessman Ayachi Zammel and leftist candidate Zouhair Maghzaoui, a former ally of Saied. Saied, a former law scholar, initially ascended to prominence by addressing widespread dissatisfaction with the political elite following the Arab Spring. However, his tenure has been marred by economic malaise and an exacerbation of his political control after he suspended parliament and reformed the constitution in 2021. The political environment has been increasingly characterized by autocratic tendencies, culminating in Saied’s dissolution of parliament two years post his 2019 election. In defiance of claims regarding systemic electoral restrictions, Saied asserted, “There are no restrictions on potential candidates for the presidential elections… this is nonsense and lies,” asserting his commitment to national sovereignty against external political pressures. Tunisian economic challenges loom large, with public debt having surged to over 80 percent of the country’s GDP since 2010 and current account deficits escalating to 15 percent, driven by rising import costs exacerbated by global inflation and geopolitical conflicts, including the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The political landscape in Tunisia has dramatically shifted since the 2011 Arab Spring, which prompted numerous revolutions across the Arab world. Kais Saied was elected in the wake of widespread dissatisfaction with the prevailing political elite and was initially seen as a reformist leader. His subsequent actions, including a constitutional overhaul and the suspension of parliament, have drawn criticism and accusations of authoritarianism. The 2023 presidential election marks a significant event in this evolving political narrative, with Saied’s opponents largely sidelined from participating in a fair electoral process, thereby amplifying voter disillusionment.

The ongoing political saga in Tunisia, highlighted by the recent presidential election, underscores the tensions between autocratic governance and democratic principles. With Kais Saied anticipated to secure a decisive electoral victory amid troublingly low voter engagement, the future of political reform in Tunisia remains uncertain. The increasing concentration of power within Saied’s administration raises concerns over the trajectory of the Tunisian democracy and its economic viability.

Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net