Tunisia is currently abuzz with discussions following the recent presidential election results, where incumbent President Kais Saied has claimed victory, earning over 90% of the votes. The announcement by the Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) came after the elections held on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Farouk Bouasker, the head of ISIE, revealed Saied's massive win, stating his main opponent, businessman Ayachi Zammel, managed to secure just over 7%, with former lawmaker Zouhair Maghzaoui receiving around 2%. While at first glance, such figures might appear to indicate solid support for Saied, the overall voter turnout was alarmingly low, at only 28.8%. This discrepancy has raised eyebrows and fueled allegations about the legitimacy of the entire electoral process.
The Workers’ Party of Tunisia wasted no time voicing their concerns, labeling the elections as nothing more than a “charade.” They argued the outcome was unsurprising, claiming it reflected the widespread discontent with what they described as Saied's coup regime. They pointed out the staggering rate of non-participation, asserting it demonstrated the people's rejection of the current government and the electoral process as manipulated and bereft of credibility.
Over the past few years, Kais Saied's reputation has significantly shifted from being viewed as a savior of Tunisia's revolution to embodying the very authoritarianism many hoped to escape from. On July 25, 2021, Saied took drastic measures by dismissing the then Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and suspending parliament. Many Tunisians echoed their worries about his rapid consolidation of power, which they thought threatened the nascent democracy born after the 2011 revolution.
The workers’ party’s statement highlighted the dire situation: “Youth participation was minimal, just 6%. This constitutes not only non-confidence but also serves as explicit condemnation against Kais Saied and his administration.” The party firmly believes the electoral framework was manipulated to prevent substantial opposition and effectively marginalized potential candidates.
Indeed, just days before the elections, Zammel was imprisoned under dubious circumstances, having received a 12-year sentence. Reports emerged detailing how Saied's administration had employed tactics including surveillance, imprisonment, and exile against various opposition figures. These measures, some argue, have stifled any meaningful competition, making the recent elections seem like little more than a façade.
While international observers had warned against the undermining of democracy within Tunisia, developments such as the declaration of Saied's win prompted mixed responses across borders. On the same day, congratulations rolled in from global leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Jinping acknowledged the long-standing friendship between China and Tunisia, emphasizing their desire to deepen their strategic partnership.
El-Sisi, after reaching out to Saied, stressed the importance of bolstering cooperation across various sectors, reflecting shared interests geographically interconnected through Arab unity. He commended Saied for his victory and expressed Egypt’s commitment to work closely with Tunisia, especially on national security matters.
All the same, the Workers’ Party urged the Tunisian populace to continue their fight against autocracy and defend their democratic rights. They proclaimed, “Kais Saied has no legitimacy or lawfulness, as evidenced by the overwhelming voter boycott.” The sentiment encapsulated widespread frustration among many citizens who feel increasingly alienated from their political system. Instead of lashing out nationally, opposition groups are instead rallying supporters, calling for continued resistance against the government.
Reactions have been polarized; where some see Saied’s re-election as the endorsement of past policies, others are calling it symptomatic of darkening realities characterized by governmental suppression. Critics argue the economic challenges exacerbated by Saied's governance, including soaring unemployment and deteriorated public services, have left many disillusioned.
Moving forward, the questions remain: what will the future hold for Tunisia? Will Kais Saied maintain enough support to navigate through these tumultuous waters, and how will the international community engage with him now? Observers continue to keep their eyes peeled on the next steps as Tunisia wades through these politically fraught times.
