Tunisia - December 2022

On 17 December, Tunisia held its first legislative elections since the dissolution of the legislature in July 2021. The vote took place under a new electoral system created by the president through decree laws, and which reduces the power of political parties. In response, most political parties boycotted the election. With the majority of parties absent, 1,058 candidates (of whom only 4 per cent were youth (under 35 years old) and only 11 per cent were women) were competing for 161 parliamentary seats. Turnout was at a record low of 11.2 per cent, continuing a negative trend since the remarkably high level of participation (more than 90 per cent) achieved in 2011. Only 21 candidates secured election due to the low turnout figures. A second round will be held in February in most Tunisian regions to decide the remaining seats. Opposition politicians stated the low turnout is indicative of a legitimacy deficit, and that President Saied should step down.

Sources: L'Instance Supérieure Indépendante pour les Élections, Al Bawsala, RFI, Reuters, The Carter Center, The New York Times Middle East Monitor, Africa News, International IDEA

Ali Larayedh, former Prime Minister of Tunisia and vice-president of the popular opposition party Ennahda was detained over terrorism allegations days after legislative elections marked by record low turnout. Ennahda, the biggest party in Tunisia’s previous parliament, has called for his release and denounced the arrest as a political attack in efforts by President Kais Saied to marginalize the popular movement and divert the public’s attention from his political troubles. In addition, Ennahda’s supporters gathered outside the Justice Ministry to protest the arrest and demand that Larayedh be freed.

Sources: Reuters, North Africa Post, Al Monitor, AP News, Reuters