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Saied has been accused of stamping out his political competition and accumulating power in his own hands. Only two candidates have been given the green light to run against Saied, who has suspended parliament since he came to power in 2019.
Will Tunisian President Kais Saied win the elections? That question is being asked from several quarters as the October 6 election is tomorrow. Analysts say that he faces few obstacles to winning re-election on Sunday.
The North African country’s Oct. 6 presidential election is its third since protests led to the 2011 ouster of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali — the first autocrat toppled in the Arab Spring uprisings that overthrew leaders in Egypt, Libya, and Yemen.
International observers praised the previous two contests as meeting democratic norms. However, a raft of arrests and actions by a Saied-appointed election authority have raised doubts about whether this year’s race is free and fair. And opposition parties have called for a boycott.
President Saied has ardent supporters, who see this election as a key moment, an opportunity for the incumbent to reinforce his power to carry out his program to liberate the country from Western domination.
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Saied has been accused of stamping out his political competition and accumulating power in his own hands. Only two candidates have been given the green light to run against Saied, who has suspended parliament since he came to power in 2019.
Tunisia has maintained ties with its traditional Western allies but also forged new partnerships under Saied. Tunisia and Iran lifted visa requirements and in May announced plans to boost trade ties. It has also accepted millions in loans as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative to build hospitals, stadiums, and ports.
