Analysts Wonder if Sunday’s Election will allow Tunisia’s President to win a Second Term
President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, the first authoritarian overthrown in the Arab Spring upheavals that subsequently overturned presidents in Egypt, Libya, and Yemen, was overthrown in 2011 due to protests, and the North African nation is holding its third presidential election on October 6.
The last two elections were hailed by international observers as conforming to democratic standards. But there are questions about whether this year’s election is free and fair after a number of arrests and measures by an election body appointed by Saied. A boycott has also been demanded by opposing parties.
Michael Ayari, Senior Analyst for Algeria and Tunisia at the International Crisis Group, told the Associated Press on Friday that there are concerns about Tunisia’s future course.
Will Saied’s reign be permanent? The question is that. Is it feasible to make peaceful changes to the political system? Or are the Tunisians doomed to live under a 30-year-term president? Who will stay for twenty or thirty years, implement his plan, and cause the nation to grow increasingly authoritarian?
He continued that President Saied does, however, have devoted fans who view this election as a “key moment” that will allow him to further solidify his “power to carry out his program to liberate the country from a kind of Western domination.” Under Saied, Tunisia has established new alliances while preserving its connections with its longstanding Western allies.
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