Tunisia prepares for Presidential Elections amidst political and economic turmoil
Tunisia is set to hold presidential elections on October 6, as announced by the presidential office on Tuesday.
President Saied, 66, has governed Tunisia with an iron fist since seizing full control on July 25, 2021, when he dismissed the Prime Minister and suspended Parliament.
A new constitution, enacted in 2022 by presidential decree, adds to the challenges faced by Tunisia’s fledgling democracy, which was born out of the Arab Spring in 2011 that led to the ousting of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and sparked widespread regional upheaval.
The upcoming election date was set by presidential decree, amid a crackdown on key opposition figures.
Among those imprisoned are Rached Ghannouchi, leader of the Islamist-conservative Ennahdha party, and Abir Moussi, head of the Free Destourian Party.
Tunisia’s political crisis, sparked by Saied’s power grab, is compounded by severe economic difficulties.
The country faces sluggish economic growth (around 2%), rising poverty (affecting 4 million out of 12 million inhabitants), and high unemployment (15%).
