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Tunisians voted yesterday (Sunday) for the country’s first local elections. It is the first time since the introduction of the new constitution by President Kais Saied that voting to the local bodies is taking place to determine the composition of a new National Council of Regions and Districts.
Tunisians voted yesterday (Sunday) for the country’s first local elections. It is the first time since the introduction of the new constitution by President Kais Saied that voting to the local bodies is taking place to determine the composition of a new National Council of Regions and Districts.
The new legislative chamber is tasked to focus on economic development. Candidates have campaigned on the radio about building schools, roads, and other infrastructure. Saied also made toll promises during his campaign trail for a fair distribution of funds and energy in his last campaigns. To date, his detractors say, the promises remained only on paper. Citizens are showing inertia towards the election although they are undergoing harrowing experiences. They have little understanding of the stake involved and what the elected representatives should take up on their behalf. On the top, it is not very clear what the role of the new chamber should be in pursuing the development goals of the country.
Barely 11% of voters turned out for parliamentary elections last year amidst growing concerns about the country’s political and economic woes. Tunisia recently passed a new budget without major reforms that could bolster the economy or attract foreign lenders. It retains price controls and subsidies for flour, electricity, and fuel, even though reducing government spending on subsidies. The IMF has demanded deepening the reform process in exchange for a US $1.9 billion loan.
The ratings firm Fitch said this month that Tunisia was at high risk for default with a CCC- rating. It further added that there was very little scope for reforms to be carried out in 2024 as the presidential elections are nearing.
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There is a scale of laxity that has crept into the administrative apparatus. The elections are coming after two years even though Saied suspended the country’s parliament months after he dissolved municipal councils.
