Tunisians went to the polls yesterday to vote for their first directly elected president since the 2011 revolution that ended the regime of former Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
About 30 candidates are running, but a race is emerging between a veteran former Ben Ali official and a rights activist who says the election is a chance to stop the return of stalwarts from the old regime.
More than three years after the end of Ben Ali’s one-party rule, Tunisia has become a model of transition for the region by adopting a new constitution and avoiding the turmoil facing its neighbors.
Yesterday’s vote followed a general election in October, when the main secular Nidaa Tounes party won the most seats in the parliament, known as the Assembly of the Representatives of the People, beating the Muslim party Ennahda, which won the free poll in 2011.
Compromise between secular and Muslim rivals has been a feature of Tunisia’s political success, but the ascent of former regime officials is worrying critics who say they fear their return would be a setback for the 2011 revolution.
Nidaa Tounes leader, Beji Caid Essebsi, an 87-year-old former Ben Ali official, is emerging as a front-runner, alongside Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki, who is warning against the rise of one-party-era figures like Essebsi.
“The old regime wants to impose itself on these elections, especially after they won the most seats in the parliament,” bank employee Mohammed Souilmi said. “I will be voting to put a stop to that.”
Essebsi and other former Ben Ali era officials said they were not involved in the corruption and abuse of the former regime, presenting themselves instead as technocrats with the skills the nation now needs in government.
“Tunisians just want a president who can help restore security and the economic situation and return the prestige we have lost,” hairdresser Sonia Ben Omar said.
Most analysts predict that neither Essebsi nor Marzouki will win enough votes to avoid a second round of voting next month.
A new Nidaa Tounes-led government is to be formed after the presidential ballot. However, the narrow lead it holds over Ennahda in parliament is expected to mean tough post-election negotiations over the new administration.
Ennahda has not put forward a candidate or backed anyone, so its supporters’ choice will emerge only in the vote.
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