Tunisians voted....somehow

Tunisian voters began casting their votes in a second round of parliamentary elections that took place last month.  The mayhem and political turmoil that Tunisia has been through do not promise a safe retraction to democracy. The new parliament will have very few powers, as it cannot, for example, dismiss the president or hold him accountable. The president has priority in proposing bills. The new constitution does not require that the government appointed by the president obtain the confidence of parliament. The participation rate is the main measure of the success of the election, which the opposition boycotts in light of the political and economic crisis afflicting the country. The electoral campaign appeared lackluster, as a limited number of electoral banners hung in the streets and on the roads presenting candidates, most of whom are unknown to the Tunisian public.

In an attempt to introduce them in a better way, the Independent High Authority for Elections sought to organize debates between them, which were broadcast on state television during the hours of high viewing rates at night.

262 candidates are competing for 131 seats in the new parliament (out of 161), during elections that represent the final stage of a road map imposed by President Kais Saied, the most prominent feature of which is the establishment of a strengthened presidential system similar to the pre-revolutionary version of Tunisia.

The Independent High Authority for Elections announced that the turnout in the second round of the elections remains low.  A mere 11% of the electorate had voted on Sunday, with critics of President Kais Saied saying the empty polling stations were evidence of public disdain for his agenda and seizure of powers.The political upheaval in Tunisia is accompanied by an economic impasse, exacerbated by the failure of crucial negotiations with the International Monetary Fund to obtain a loan of about two billion dollars.

Observers believe that the only glimmer of hope for this crisis is the "rescue initiative" launched by the "Tunisian General Labor Union", the "Tunisian League for Human Rights", the "National Organization of Lawyers" and the "Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights" in order to submit proposals that they will present to Saeed. out of the crisis.

Youssef Cherif, director of Columbia Global Centers in Tunis, told AFP “this parliament will have very little legitimacy, and the president, who is all-powerful thanks to the 2022 constitution, will be able to control it as he sees fit”. 

It is hard to imagine whether the 11% figure would promise a representative parliament. Yet again, a 100% figure wouldn't, unfortunately, either.