After Tunisian President Kais Saied asked voters to cast their ballots in the 6 October presidential election, registration was set to take place from 29 July to 6 August.
On 4 July, the head of the Independent High Authority for Elections Farouk Bouaskar outlined the requirements for presidential candidates. These include a clean legal record and endorsements from either 10 members of parliament, the National Council of Regions, or 40 local council heads. Alternatively, candidates can secure endorsements from 10,000 registered voters across 10 legislative electoral districts, with at least 500 voters per district. Observers suggest these conditions may pose a challenge for independent candidates, who may need to gather 10,000 voter endorsements.
Several candidates other than the incumbent have already declared their intention to join the race. These include political activist and Third Republic Party leader Olfa Al-Hamidi, Republican Popular Union Party Secretary-General Lotfi Al-Marahi, former minister under president Zine Al-Abidine bin Ali’s regime Munther Al-Zanaidi, businessman and media figure Nizar Al-Shaari, independent politician and prominent journalist Al-Safi Said, and Labour and Achievement Party Secretary-General Abdul-Latif Al-Makki, formerly associated with the Ennahda movement.
Local reports suggest the possibility of Free Destourian Party leader Abeer Moussa and Republican Party Secretary-General Issam Chebbi also running for the presidency, despite being currently in prison. Their parties reportedly intend to support their candidacy despite the legal challenges they face, possibly as a means to influence ongoing judicial proceedings, challenge legal rulings, or embarrass Saied, who is yet to announce his candidacy.
The elections will be held under the presidential system adopted in 2021, a shift from the previous parliamentary system. This change was made by Saied to resolve the political deadlock among various factions, which had exacerbated economic and financial crises, negatively impacting people’s livelihoods.
After the 2011 protests, which led to the ouster of Bin Ali, Tunisia emerged as a potential model for democratic transformation in the Arab world. However, the country has faced political conflicts, notably between Ennahda, associated with the Muslim Brotherhood and led by Rachid Ghannouchi, who is currently serving a prison sentence, and leftist parties.
Those conflicts compelled Saied to take corrective action in 2021, including the dissolution of the House of Representatives which was elected in 2019 and a transition from a parliamentary system to a presidential one, following the disbanding of the government that had contributed to worsening economic conditions.
The 2021 measures triggered strong reactions not only in Tunisia but also from Europe, the US, and local political forces affected by the cessation of their disruptive political disputes. This put pressure on the new presidential regime, with claims of democratic decline, particularly in the light of the country’s economic crisis.
Saied’s opponents accuse him of repression and power consolidation, refusing to acknowledge the catastrophic mistakes resulting from their ongoing struggles over Tunisia’s political structure before July 2019.
Saied sought to rectify the flawed parliamentary system established by the 2014 constitution, which curtailed the executive powers vested in the president elected by the people in favour of the prime minister chosen by parliament.
Saied is set to contest the elections from a stronger position compared to his opponents. This is primarily due to his efforts to rectify structural flaws in the political system established by political forces between 2011 and 2019. It cannot be denied that he has successfully curtailed the partisan chaos that engulfed Tunisia and other Arab countries following the turmoil of 2011.
The president is emphasising the economic agenda. He recognises the need to address the living crisis in Tunisia and fulfil the aspirations of its citizens. His statements consistently highlight the importance of tackling the economy. He is expected to announce his political and economic agenda and vision both domestically and internationally.
This situation has shaped Tunisian public opinion, leading to indifference and disinterest in the complaints of political parties about the capping of their power. Disputes among the parties and the failure of their leaders to present an effective political model for governance have contributed to this sentiment.
Consequently, the atmosphere surrounding the upcoming elections differs from previous ones, with a greater focus on living conditions and less interest in political discourse and freedoms.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 11 July, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
Short link: