President Kais Saied won re-election in Tunisia, garnering 90.7 percent of the vote amidst a low turnout of 28.8 percent. His victory is set against a backdrop of political repression and concerns over democratic regression since his election in 2019. Saied has faced criticism for his actions against opposition figures and for consolidating power, which some consider undemocratic. Following the election, he stated that his victory is a continuation of the revolution against corruption and betrayal.
In the recent presidential election in Tunisia, President Kais Saied has successfully secured a second term, as announced by the Independent High Authority for Elections of Tunisia (ISIE). With a staggering 90.7 percent of the vote, Saied’s re-election reflects a significant mandate despite a low voter turnout of only 28.8 percent, marking the lowest participation since the 2011 revolution, according to ISIE officials. President Saied, who has been in power since 2019, faced two opponents in the election: Zouhair Maghzaoui, leader of the Chaab Party who has transitioned from ally to critic, and Ayachi Zammel, a businessman whose campaign faced obstacles due to his recent imprisonment. Saied’s tenure has seen increasing governmental control, marked by a series of arrests targeting opposition figures and critics, a situation rights organizations argue undermines the democratic advancements Tunisia made following the Arab Spring. Notably, many senior members of political parties opposing Saied have been detained, and these parties have refrained from supporting any candidates in the election, further consolidating Saied’s grip on power. Reports indicate that Saied’s administration has stripped away substantial checks on his authority, raising alarms about the state of democracy in the nation. In his remarks post-election, Saied characterized his victory as a continuation of the revolution aimed at purging the country of corruption and treachery. Tunisia was once celebrated as a beacon of success following the 2011 uprisings for establishing a functioning democracy. However, recent developments indicate a stark retreat from these democratic principles, as Saied fortifies his position against perceived threats to his leadership, dismissing dissent as the actions of a “corrupt elite” and “traitors.” In his powerful statement following the electoral results, Saied declared: “This is a continuation of the revolution. We will build and will cleanse the country of the corrupt, traitors and conspirators.”
Tunisia’s political landscape has been profoundly altered since the 2011 Arab Spring, during which the country was heralded for its successful transition to democracy after years of autocratic rule. However, President Kais Saied’s administration has faced significant scrutiny for reversing many of the democratic gains achieved during that period. Following his election in 2019, Saied has been increasingly criticized for consolidating power, dissolving parliament, and rewriting the constitution, actions described by opposition members as a coup. Political dissent has been suppressed, with numerous opposition figures imprisoned, heightening concerns about human rights violations and lack of political freedom in Tunisia.
The recent presidential election reinforces President Kais Saied’s stronghold on Tunisia’s political landscape, as he embarks on a second term following a decisive electoral victory. However, the implications of his presidency continue to evoke significant concern among rights organizations and political analysts regarding the erosion of democratic ideals within the nation. As voter turnout dwindles and political opposition is systematically undermined, Saied’s administration faces scrutiny over its commitment to democratic governance and the protection of civil liberties.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
