Tunisia’s Presidential Election: Kais Saied Positioned for Victory…

President Kais Saied is projected to secure 89.2 percent of the vote in Tunisia’s presidential election amid low voter turnout of less than 30 percent. Saied faces limited opposition in a political climate marked by his consolidation of power and economic challenges. The election results highlight a significant decline in civic engagement, with opposition groups denouncing the legitimacy of the electoral process.

In Tunisia’s presidential election, held recently, President Kais Saied is projected to secure an overwhelming victory with an estimated 89.2 percent of the votes, as indicated by an exit poll released by state television on Sunday. This anticipated outcome will further solidify Saied’s authority following his significant consolidation of power in 2021. The official results are scheduled to be disclosed on Monday evening. Voter participation was notably low during this election, with less than 30 percent of the electorate casting their votes in what is Tunisia’s third presidential election since the Arab Spring revolution of 2011. President Saied faced limited competition from two candidates: imprisoned businessman Ayachi Zammel and leftist candidate Zouhair Maghzaoui, who was formerly an ally of Saied. Saied, a law academic who ascended to power by leveraging public discontent with the post-revolution political landscape, is anticipated to win effortlessly, given that his competitors have experienced marginalization or imprisonment. His tenure has been characterized by economic challenges and an increased concentration of political power, especially after he suspended the parliament in 2021 and modified the constitution to enhance his authority. Opposition groups have called for a boycott, denouncing the electoral process as illegitimate. By the conclusion of voting, only 2.7 million individuals, amounting to 27.7 percent of registered voters, had participated, reflecting a significant drop from the 49 percent turnout recorded during the first round of the 2019 elections. Despite interest from several candidates to challenge Saied, only three received approval from the election commission, which is entirely appointed by the president. Twenty-four months following his election in 2019, Saied dismantled the parliament and has ruled by decree, a series of actions that opposition members have condemned as a coup. He has resisted relinquishing power to what he calls “non-patriots.” Upon announcing his candidacy earlier this year, Saied refuted claims of imposing limitations on opposition candidates, asserting that such allegations are unfounded. Tunisia’s economy is grappling with chronic issues, including a rise in public debt that has soared past 80 percent of the nation’s GDP, a significant increase from less than 40 percent in 2010, just prior to the Arab Spring. Additionally, the current account deficit has surged to 15 percent of GDP due to escalating prices for vital imports amid the global inflationary trends exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The political landscape in Tunisia has been tumultuous since the 2011 Arab Spring, which successfully ousted long-time President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. The subsequent years have seen a cycle of elections and political instability, culminating in significant discontent with the political class. President Kais Saied’s rise to power was marked by public frustration towards the failings of conventional political entities, positioning him as a populist figure. Following his assumption of power, Saied has augmented his political influence by taking control of the parliament and reforming the constitution. The recent elections reflect a continuation of his rule amidst widespread voter apathy and opposition criticisms of his governance as authoritarian. This context is integral to understanding the implications of the recent election results and the prevailing sentiments among the Tunisian populace.

In summary, Tunisia’s recent presidential election underscores a significant consolidation of power by President Kais Saied, who is on track for a decisive victory amidst notably low voter turnout. This situation reflects broader trends of political disenchantment and concerns regarding governance in Tunisia. Saied’s electoral dominance appears to emerge from the marginalization of opposition candidates and ongoing economic struggles within the country, raising questions about the future of democratic processes and civic engagement in Tunisia.

Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net