In Tunisia’s 2024 presidential election, Kais Saied was re-elected as president in a triumph. However, the election saw a very low turnout, with less than 30% of voters participating, raising concerns about the country’s political future. Saied, who first came to power in 2019, has faced criticism for his handling of the country and is seen by some as steering Tunisia away from democracy.
Overview of the Election
Kais Saied won the 2024 presidential election with an overwhelming 90.7% of the vote, easily defeating his two rivals, Ayachi Zammel and Zouhair Maghzaoui. Despite the decisive victory, voter turnout was only 28.8%, the lowest since Tunisia became a democracy after the 2011 Arab Spring. This election’s turnout is a stark contrast to the 2019 presidential election, where 58% of voters participated in electing Saied for the first time.
Zammel, who was jailed ahead of the election, received 7.3% of the vote, while Maghzaoui, a supporter of Saied’s past actions, secured only 1.9%. This election marked a continuation of Saied’s controversial political journey, but the lack of participation from the public indicates growing disillusionment.
Background
Tunisia’s political scene transformed significantly after the 2011 Arab Spring, when the country’s longtime dictator, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, was ousted. Tunisia was praised for being the only country in the region to successfully transition to democracy. Over the past decade, Tunisia established itself as a democratic nation with free elections and political pluralism. However, the country also faced economic challenges, including high unemployment, inflation, and political instability.
By 2019, these issues had led to widespread frustration with Tunisia’s political elite. This created the perfect environment for Kais Saied, a political outsider and law professor, to win the presidency. Saied campaigned as an anti-corruption figure who promised to clean up the government and put Tunisia back on track.
Kais Saied’s First Term as President
Kais Saied’s first term in office has been anything but smooth. Although he was elected with 73% of the vote in 2019, his popularity began to decline as Tunisia’s economic problems persisted. In 2021, he made a drastic move by suspending parliament, dismissing the prime minister, and taking full executive power. Saied justified this by claiming he needed to combat corruption and political inefficiency. He later rewrote the country’s constitution, giving himself even more control over government institutions.
Many of Saied’s critics saw these actions as a power grab, accusing him of dismantling Tunisia’s democracy. Over the past three years, opposition leaders and activists have been arrested, and several prominent political figures were barred from running in the 2024 election. While some Tunisians continue to support Saied’s hardline approach, many others feel he has undermined the very freedoms that were fought for during the Arab Spring.
Political Climate in Tunisia
The political climate in Tunisia leading up to the 2024 election was tense. Saied’s government faced criticism from rights groups and the international community for its handling of political opposition and civil liberties. Several political leaders, including Rached Ghannouchi of the Ennahdha party and Abir Moussi of the Free Destourian Party, were arrested. Ayachi Zammel, one of Saied’s opponents in the 2024 election, was also jailed shortly before the vote.
Many political observers argue that Saied’s administration has become increasingly authoritarian, using state power to silence dissent. This has created a difficult environment for opposition groups to organize or challenge the government, which contributed to the lack of serious competition in this year’s election. The European Union expressed concerns about the democratic integrity of the election process, echoing fears of Tunisia slipping back into authoritarianism.
Election Results Discussed
Despite winning the election with an overwhelming majority, the low voter turnout in the 2024 election is a clear sign of public disengagement. The fact that less than 30% of voters participated indicates that many Tunisians, especially young people, are losing faith in the political system. Only 6% of voters aged 18 to 35, who make up a large portion of the electorate, casted their ballots. This age group was once seen as a driving force for change during the 2011 revolution, but many now feel disconnected from the country’s political future.
The election was largely uncompetitive, as Saied’s opponents lacked significant support. Zammel, despite being jailed, rejected the election results, claiming they were manipulated. However, with Saied’s dominance in the political sphere and limited competition, his victory was expected.
Public Reaction
Public reaction to Saied’s re-election has been mixed. In Tunis, Saied’s supporters took to the streets to celebrate, waving flags and chanting in support of the president. Many of his followers see him as a strong leader willing to take on corruption and rebuild the country from its struggles. Saied has maintained support from Tunisia’s working class, who view him as a champion of the people against corrupt elites.
However, the low voter turnout and lack of serious opposition have raised concerns among rights groups and political analysts. Critics argue that Saied’s consolidation of power has eroded the democratic gains made since the 2011 revolution. The International Crisis Group, among others, has pointed out that while Saied may enjoy popular support in some segments of society, his failure to resolve Tunisia’s economic issues has alienated many voters. The country remains in a deep economic crisis, with no clear plan for recovery.
The 2024 presidential election in Tunisia has confirmed Kais Saied’s hold on power, but the low turnout and political repression have cast a shadow over the process. Saied’s second term comes at a time of significant uncertainty for Tunisia’s democracy. As the country grapples with economic hardships and a deeply divided political landscape, the future remains uncertain. Many Tunisians are asking whether Saied can deliver the change he promised, or if his continued rule will push the country further away from the democratic principles established after the Arab Spring.
Featured image: The President of Tunisia, Kais Saied, at the press conference, Libya, 17 March 2021.” Photo by Hussein Eddeb, Shutterstock.
