Kais Saied Secures Second Term in Tunisia Amidst Controversial Electoral Climate
Kais Saied has won a second term in the presidential election in Tunisia, securing 90.7 percent of the votes amid a voter turnout of only 28.8 percent. His victory comes against a backdrop of significant political repression, including the imprisonment of opposition figures. Saied has framed his victory as a continuation of the revolution, despite criticism of his authoritarian methods.
Tunisian President Kais Saied has secured a second term in the recent presidential election, as announced by the Independent High Authority for Elections of Tunisia (ISIE). President Saied received an overwhelming 90.7 percent of the votes cast, albeit with a low voter turnout of 28.8 percent, the smallest since the 2011 revolution. The head of ISIE revealed this information during a national television broadcast on Monday. Saied, who has been in office since 2019, faced two opponents in this election: Zouhair Maghzaoui, the leader of the Chaab Party, who had once been an ally but became a critic, and businessman Ayachi Zammel, who was seen as a potential challenger until his imprisonment last month. Notably, the low turnout was anticipated, with an earlier estimate by ISIE predicting around 30 percent. Since assuming the presidency, Saied has overseen a significant crackdown on political opposition, characterized by a series of arrests targeting dissenters. Although Tunisia once stood as a beacon of hope for democracy following the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings, rights organizations now assert that Saied has eroded many of the democratic freedoms that were previously established. Moreover, many key figures from the leading opposing parties have been imprisoned, while other opponents were unable to participate in the election. Prominent figures such as Abir Moussi, leader of the Free Constitutional Party, have been incarcerated, with her party accused of seeking a return to pre-2011 governance. Following the election, Saied stated, “This is a continuation of the revolution,” emphasizing his intention to eliminate corruption and treachery from the country. He further expressed his resolve by declaring, “We will build and will cleanse the country of the corrupt, traitors and conspirators.” The backdrop to this election is marked by Saied’s earlier constitutional revisions and the dissolution of the elected parliament in 2021, actions taken under what many critics label as a coup attempt. Despite the backlash he faces, Saied remains steadfast, framing his governance as a battle against a corrupt elite.
The recent presidential election marks a pivotal moment in Tunisian politics, as it reflects the growing tensions between governmental authority and democratic principles. Tunisia emerged from the Arab Spring of 2011 as a rare success story, introducing democracy after decades of oppressive regimes. However, since President Saied’s assumption of power, there has been a noticeable regression in civil liberties and political pluralism. Saied’s government has increasingly targeted dissenters and critics through arrests and imprisonment, undermining the foundational democratic structures that had taken years to establish following the revolution. The political climate leading up to this election was rife with controversy, marked by his drastic measures to consolidate power and eliminate opposition.
In summary, Kais Saied’s election to a second term is indicative of Tunisia’s tumultuous political landscape, where the aspirations for democracy are increasingly challenged by authoritative governance. Despite securing a high percentage of votes, the alarmingly low turnout signifies disillusionment among the populace regarding the electoral process and governance. As Saied pledges a continuation of his campaign against perceived corruption and treachery, the future of Tunisia’s democracy remains precarious, raising critical questions about the nation’s political trajectory and the preservation of civil rights and democratic norms.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
