Tunisia’s Presidential Campaign Launches Amid Protests and Political Tensions

Tunisia’s Presidential Campaign Season Begins Amid Protests

The presidential campaign season in Tunisia has kicked off against a backdrop of widespread protests against the ruling authorities and the recent arrests of numerous opposition politicians. Demonstrators gathered for a significant rally in the capital, Tunis, to voice their discontent over what they perceive as the deteriorating conditions in the country.

Samia Abbou, a former member of the Tunisian Assembly and an active participant in the demonstration, criticized President Kais Saied for his failures across multiple critical areas. “Is it feasible for Kais Saied to continue managing the country? Given what we have observed regarding the administration, governance, judiciary, security, price control, foreign relations, and even irregular immigration, he has not met expectations at any level,” she stated.

As he seeks a second term in the upcoming election scheduled for October 6, Saied has become an increasingly unpopular figure among Tunisians. When he first came to power in 2019, he garnered support by promising to combat corruption, appealing to citizens disillusioned by the political turmoil that followed the Arab Spring and marred Tunisia’s young democracy.

However, since assuming office, the 66-year-old former law professor has taken considerable steps to consolidate his power, including freezing parliament, ruling by decree, and revising the constitution. Throughout his presidency, Saied’s government has been criticized for arresting journalists, activists, civil society members, and political opponents across various political ideologies.

“The president is detaining and imprisoning lawyers, political activists, and bloggers while also arbitrarily transferring judges. We have taken to the streets today to protest against violations of rights and freedoms,” expressed demonstrator Sghaier Zakraoui.

The protests came at the end of a week during which Tunisia’s largest opposition party, Ennahda, reported a mass arrest of its senior members on an unprecedented scale. The Islamist party, which rose to prominence in the aftermath of the Arab Spring, released a statement indicating that local branch reports suggested at least 80 individuals from the party had been arrested as part of a nationwide crackdown affecting members from ten different regions.

For weeks, advocates for democracy and human rights have urged the European Union (EU) to exert greater pressure on the Tunisian government, raising alarms that the upcoming election may not be free or fair.

Tunisia and the European Union

Brussels is reportedly monitoring the situation with growing concern. A recent report by the British newspaper The Guardian revealed that it had obtained a draft document from the EU’s diplomatic service (EEAS), which highlighted worries about “a clear deterioration of the political climate and a shrinking civic space” in Tunisia.

The report acknowledged the EU’s ongoing interest in maintaining its partnership with Tunisia to ensure the country’s stability. There are increasing fears that, without the EU’s support, Tunisia could drift closer to the influence of countries such as Russia, Iran, and China. This shift could have significant implications for the EU-Tunisia Migration Agreement.

This agreement, signed in 2023, aims to reduce the number of migrants attempting perilous Mediterranean crossings by boat, in exchange for hundreds of millions of euros in financial aid for Tunisia. However, the deal has faced criticism within the EU, with several senior Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) accusing the Commission of effectively “bankrolling dictators” when it was approved.

Regardless of who wins the upcoming October election, the new leader will face formidable challenges. Tunisia’s unemployment rate has surged to one of the highest in the region, currently standing at 16%, with young Tunisians disproportionately affected. Additionally, the economy is grappling with significant hurdles, as the National Institute for Statistics reported in March that economic growth had stagnated at a mere 0.4%.