Democracy On Saturday, Tunisians largely shunned these elections boycotted by the opposition: abstention reached more than 90%
Members of Tunisia’s electoral commission count the votes on December 18, 2022 in Tunis, a day after voters overwhelmingly shunned elections for a castrated parliament. — MOHAMED HAMMI/SIPA
On Sunday, the United States estimated that the legislative elections in Tunisia were “an essential first step towards restoring the country”s democratic trajectory”, while asserting that the very high rate of abstention showed the need of “political participation” wider. These elections are the culmination of the construction of the hyper-presidentialist system wanted by President Kais Saied, elected in 2019 and the author of a coup at the time. the summer of 2021 in which it “frozen” the Assembly of People’s Representatives.
He has since dissolved it and submitted to referendum a new Constitution providing for the election of a new Parliament with very limited powers. On Saturday, the Tunisians were very largely shunned; these elections, boycotted by the opposition: abstention reached more than 90%.
Protecting freedom; of expression and opposition
The United States emphasizes “the importance of enacting transparent and inclusive reforms”, such as “the establishment of the Constitutional Court and the protection of human rights and freedoms. s fundamental for all Tunisians.
“We will continue to support the aspirations of the Tunisian people to a democratic, accountable government that protects freedom; of expression and opposition and which supports society. civilian,” US State Department spokesman Ned Price.