Tunisian President Kais Saied is anticipated to secure a significant victory in the presidential election, with an exit poll suggesting a 89.2 percent approval rate. However, voter turnout was notably low, at under 30 percent, reflecting widespread discontent with the electoral process. The election featured Saied against two largely marginalized opponents, and his presidency has been marked by increasing autocracy since he dissolved parliament in 2021. The economic situation in Tunisia remains dire, complicating the political landscape further.
Tunisian President Kais Saied is poised for a considerable victory in the recent presidential election, with an exit poll indicating a potential 89.2 percent of the vote in his favor. This anticipated result would reinforce Saied’s authority, which he has significantly consolidated since 2021. The official election results are expected to be disclosed on Monday evening. The election was marked by notable voter apathy, with only 27.7 percent of the approximately 9.7 million eligible voters participating. This turnout reflects a sharp decline from the 49 percent recorded in the first round of the 2019 elections. The lack of engagement has been attributed to a widespread perception of the electoral process as illegitimate. In this election, President Saied faced two challengers: imprisoned businessman Ayachi Zammel and Zouhair Maghzaoui, a leftist candidate who previously supported Saied. Despite their candidacies, both opponents were hindered by their marginalized positions, leading many analysts to deem the election essentially uncontested. Saied, formerly a law professor, ascended to power on the back of public discontent with the political framework established following the Arab Spring in 2011. His presidency has been characterized by significant political maneuvers, including dissolving parliament in 2021 and rewriting the constitution to expand his powers. Opposition groups have denounced the election as a farce, urging voters to boycott the polls in protest of Saied’s increasing autocracy. The electoral commission, reportedly stacked with Saied’s appointees, approved only three candidates for the presidency, despite numerous others who expressed interest. Saied firmly opposes international intervention in Tunisian affairs, asserting his commitment to uphold the sovereignty of his presidency against what he describes as “non-patriots.” During his candidacy declaration, he refuted allegations of competitor restrictions, declaring such claims to be baseless. Furthermore, Tunisia’s economic landscape remains fraught with challenges, including a public debt exceeding 80 percent of the national GDP and a current account deficit approaching 15 percent. This emerging economic crisis has been exacerbated by global inflation and the ramifications of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, catalyzing cost increases for vital imports and commodities. As the results await official confirmation, the future trajectory of Tunisian democracy and governance remains precarious amid Saied’s decisive electoral dominance.
The presidential election in Tunisia, part of the broader political landscape following the Arab Spring, reflects the ongoing struggles between democratic aspirations and authoritarian governance. Since his rise to power in 2019, President Kais Saied has leveraged public discontent with the previous political establishment to consolidate his authority and enact significant changes to Tunisia’s political framework. His actions have sparked debates around democratic legitimacy and voter engagement, particularly highlighted by the historically low voter turnout in the recent elections. Economic difficulties further complicate the scenario, presenting a critical backdrop against which Tunisia’s political future will unfold.
The recent presidential election indicates a sustained consolidation of power by President Kais Saied, amidst considerable voter apathy and opposition outcry regarding the legitimacy of the electoral process. With an expected overwhelming victory, Saied’s presidency continues to face scrutiny regarding its democratic foundations and responses to Tunisia’s economic predicaments. As the official results are pending, it remains to be seen how the government will address the challenges posed by dissent against its increasingly autocratic tendencies and the country’s critical economic issues.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
