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Marrakech – President Kais Saied of Tunisia has issued a decree setting the country’s presidential elections for Sunday, October 6, 2024.
The announcement comes amidst ongoing political turmoil and a crackdown on opposition figures, journalists and critics of the government.
Saied, who was elected in 2019 as an anti-establishment candidate promising to tackle corruption, took full control of the country in 2021 by dismissing the elected parliament and ruling by decree.
His actions were denounced by the opposition as a coup. Subsequently, Saied oversaw the drafting of a new constitution, which was approved by a referendum in 2022, establishing a presidential system and weakening the role of parliament.
While Saied has not officially confirmed his candidacy, he is widely expected to seek a second five-year term.
However, the opposition has expressed concerns about the fairness and credibility of the upcoming elections, citing the imprisonment of political opponents and restrictions on media freedom.
Several potential candidates, including Abir Moussi, leader of the Free Constitutional Party, and Ennahda party leader Rached Ghannouchi, are currently in jail or facing prosecution on various charges.
Other potential candidates, such as Safi Saeed, Lotfi Maraihi, Nizar Chaari, and Abd Ellatif Mekki, are also facing legal challenges.
The opposition maintains that fair elections cannot be held unless imprisoned politicians are released and journalists are allowed to work without government pressure.
According to Reuters, Saied has criticized what he describes as “politicians’ jostling for office” and has stated that he will not hand over power to those he considers non-patriots.
Tunisia has been grappling with economic and political crises, with unemployment standing at 15 percent and about four million of the country’s 12 million population living in poverty.
The National Union of Tunisian Journalists reports that more than 60 journalists, lawyers, and political opponents have been prosecuted since Saied’s power grab.
Read also: Algeria and Tunisia Pursue Maghreb Union ‘Dream,’ Exclude Morocco From Talks
