Tunisia’s presidential election saw President Kais Saied projected to win 89.2 percent of the vote amid a low voter turnout of less than 30 percent. Saied faced minimal opposition, given the marginalization of his rivals. The elections have drawn criticism from the opposition, labeling the process as a sham, reflecting broader grievances about governance and economic distress in Tunisia.
In the recent Tunisian presidential election, President Kais Saied is projected to secure an overwhelming 89.2 percent of the vote, as indicated by an exit poll released on state television. This victory is poised to reinforce Saied’s authority after having consolidated power in 2021. While official results remain expected until Monday evening, voter turnout was alarmingly low, with less than 30 percent of the electorate participating in what marks the third presidential election since the Arab Spring revolution in 2011. Kais Saied faced two challengers: imprisoned businessman Ayachi Zammel and leftist candidate Zouhair Maghzaoui, who was once an ally of Saied. Saied, a former law professor, rose to prominence by leveraging public discontent with the existing political elite following the Arab Spring. His first term has been characterized by economic challenges and a significant expansion of his political power, notably after he suspended parliament and redefined the constitution in 2021. The context of the elections was marred by widespread voter apathy, with only approximately 2.7 million individuals, or 27.7% of the electorate, casting their ballots—a noticeable decline from the 49 percent turnout witnessed in the initial round of the 2019 elections. The opposition, which has been largely suppressed, called for a boycott of the elections, denouncing the process as a sham. Despite several individuals expressing interest in opposing Saied, only three candidates were sanctioned by the president’s election commission, which he fully appoints. Furthermore, Saied has faced allegations of autocratic rule, as he dissolved parliament and has refused to yield power to those he deems “non-patriots.” In his official candidacy announcement earlier this year, Saied denied any of the purported restrictions imposed on potential rivals, dismissing such claims as “nonsense and lies.” Tunisia’s economy suffers from persistent troubles, with a burgeoning public debt now exceeding 80 percent of the national GDP—a stark increase from under 40 percent in 2010. Compounding economic difficulties arise from a rising current account deficit now at 15 percent of GDP, inflating prices of critical imports amidst global inflation trends and the repercussions of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The political landscape of Tunisia has experienced significant upheaval since the Arab Spring in 2011. The country has seen a series of elections, but voter participation has reflected growing disenchantment with the political process. Kais Saied, who assumed the presidency in 2019, garnered support through promises to address the dissatisfaction with the prevailing political elites. However, his subsequent actions to consolidate power and limit opposition have raised concerns about the erosion of democratic norms and rising autocracy. As the country grapples with severe economic issues—exacerbated by global inflation and fiscal mismanagement—the political climate remains fraught with tension and uncertainty.
In summary, the latest presidential election in Tunisia signifies both a consolidation of power for President Kais Saied and an alarming trend of voter disinterest. With the anticipated victory highlighting a substantial disconnect between the electorate and the political elite, there lies an essential need for a reassessment of Tunisia’s political framework and economic strategies to foster genuine democratic engagement and revitalization of the economy. The prevailing autocratic tendencies pose critical challenges to the country’s democratic aspirations and economic recovery.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
