Kais Saied Secures Second Term in Tunisia’s Presidential Election
Kais Saied won a second term as President of Tunisia, achieving 90.7 percent of the votes amid a low turnout of 28.8 percent. His administration has been criticized for suppressing political dissent and undermining democratic practices established post-Arab Spring. Major opposition figures remain imprisoned, and Saied’s victory is viewed as a continuation of his controversial policies.
Tunisian President Kais Saied has officially secured a second term following the recent presidential election, as reported by the Independent High Authority for Elections of Tunisia (ISIE). The electoral commission announced that Saied received an overwhelming 90.7 percent of the votes cast in an election that witnessed a notably low turnout of 28.8 percent. This turnout figure marks the lowest participation rate since the democratic changes that followed the 2011 revolution. Saied, who has been in power since 2019, faced two challengers in the electoral contest: Zouhair Maghzaoui, the leader of the Chaab Party, and businessman Ayachi Zammel, who was expected to challenge Saied’s candidacy before recently being incarcerated. The election has been characterized by significant repression of political dissent, with many opposition figures being jailed in the preceding year. For years, Tunisia was recognized as a beacon of democratic hope after the 2011 Arab Spring, which overthrew years of autocratic rule. However, under Saied’s leadership, critics, including human rights organizations, have expressed concerns that he has systematically dismantled the hard-won democratic institutions and has excessively concentrated power in his hands. The commission’s spokesman, Mohamed Tlili Mansri, had anticipated a turnout of around 30 percent, emphasizing that the election saw fewer voters than in previous years. Notably, senior leaders from major opposition parties chose not to support any candidates in this election, reflecting the climate of fear and repression surrounding political activity in Tunisia. Some notable figures, including Abir Moussi, head of the Free Constitutional Party, are currently imprisoned amid growing political tensions.
The political landscape in Tunisia has been tumultuous since the Arab Spring, which sparked widespread calls for democratic reforms across the region. In the years following the revolution, Tunisia was viewed as a model of governance in the Arab world, successfully transitioning to a multiparty political system. However, the administration of Kais Saied, following his election in 2019, has taken a controversial turn. Saied has enacted policies that many argue infringe on civil liberties, suppress political opposition, and curtail the democratic processes initially established after the revolution, raising concerns among local and international observers about the future of democracy in Tunisia. This background helps contextualize the significance of Saied’s recent electoral victory amidst allegations of exile and incarceration for many of his rivals.
In conclusion, Kais Saied’s decisive victory in Tunisia’s recent presidential election, despite an alarming decline in voter turnout, underscores the alarming state of democratic governance in the country. As Saied continues to face accusations of authoritarianism, the imprisonment of political rivals, and suppression of dissent, the future of Tunisia’s democracy remains in jeopardy. The implications of this election could extend beyond Tunisia, impacting regional perceptions of governance post-Arab Spring.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
