Tunisia is voting in a highly controversial presidential election, which critics claim will lack fairness and freedom, marking a significant decline in democratic norms established after the Arab Spring. Incumbent President Kais Saied has centralized power since his election in 2019, sidelining opposition and undermining electoral integrity. With multiple candidates disqualified and incarcerated, this electoral process is viewed by experts as not genuinely competitive, potentially signifying the end of Tunisia’s democratic transition.
Tunisia is set to hold a presidential election on Sunday amidst widespread criticism that the process will lack fairness and freedom. This election represents a bleak culmination of Tunisia’s protracted endeavor for political liberty which began with the Arab Spring protests. Since the 2011 uprising, which sparked democratic movements throughout the Middle East, Tunisia initially appeared to be on a path toward democracy. However, a series of governmental actions has transformed it towards autocracy, fueled in part by the public’s desire for stability amid ongoing economic challenges. Critics suggest that this election could mark a significant regression in Tunisia’s democratic journey. Sarah Yerkes, a senior fellow at Carnegie’s Middle East Program, remarked on the facade of normalcy surrounding the electoral process, indicating that, “once you start to peel the layers off, it becomes very clear that this election is nowhere close to free or fair.” The incumbent president, Kais Saied, who was elected overwhelmingly in 2019, has since centralized power to an extent that has virtually eliminated opposition. Following what many have referred to as a “self coup” in 2021, wherein he dismissed the parliament and assumed decree powers, Saied has progressively dismantled judicial independence and the regulatory framework governing elections. Despite a plethora of candidates aspiring to run — with 17 officially registered — the election commission’s integrity has been compromised, leading to the disqualification and detention of most challengers and raising questions about the legitimacy of the electoral process. As observers note, “It’s not really a contest.” Authorities have pursued a crackdown on dissent, exemplified by the imprisonment of key opposition figures, such as Rachid Ghannouchi, who was sentenced to three years in prison on charges of foreign funding. In contrast, supporters of Saied argue that he has initiated beneficial reforms, with Mahmud Ben Mabrouk asserting that the president has “made many good decisions for Tunisian people.” This electoral event represents a dramatic departure from prior elections, which had been recognized as legitimate by international observers. With more than 170 individuals detained for political reasons, the election is embroiled in a web of legal maneuvers that favor the incumbent. As one observer noted, “He’s a constitutional law professor. He operates using legal — with legal in quotes — means.” As the nation braces for this pivotal moment, the sentiments among the populace reflect a complicated and often contradictory relationship with the current political landscape. Citizens express both hope for change as well as deep disappointment with their leadership.
The presidential election in Tunisia marks a critical moment in the country’s political trajectory, which has increasingly shifted from a movement towards democracy to a consolidation of authoritarian control. Following the Arab Spring, Tunisia was initially seen as a beacon of hope for democratic reforms, but successive decisions by President Kais Saied have raised alarms about the future of civil liberties and democratic governance in the nation. Saied’s actions, including replacing the electoral commission’s leadership and undermining judicial independence, have made it significantly difficult for opposition candidates to participate meaningfully in the political process. This election is viewed by critics as potentially concluding Tunisia’s brief period of democratic growth and returning it to an era of authoritarian rule.
In summation, Tunisia’s upcoming presidential election underscores a pivotal and concerning divergence from its initial post-Arab Spring democratic aspirations. With President Kais Saied’s consolidation of power and the subsequent marginalization of opposition candidates, this election raises significant questions regarding the viability of democracy in Tunisia. As the political landscape in Tunisia continues to evolve under Saied’s rule, the implications for civil rights and governance will remain critical to monitor.
Original Source: www.washingtonpost.com
