Tunisia’s Democratic Patriots' Unified Party, member of the left-wing Popular Front coalition, announced Tuesday the nomination of MP Mongi Rahoui for November’s presidential elections.
The party, which was headed by Chokri Belaid before his assassination in 2013, said that he will run for the Popular Front.
The Democratic Patriots' Unified Party said it was ready to support the Popular Front’s electoral chances through presenting qualified candidates.
The Popular Front, a main opposition party in the parliament, has not yet announced whether it will name other candidates.
Prominent member of the Coalition, Hamma Hammami had previously run for president in 2014, but lost in the first round. He came in third behind current president Beji Caid Essebsi.
Observers said that the Democratic Patriots' Unified Party that is competing with the Labor Party to lead the left-wing parties in Tunisia, has cut Hammami’s chances of running in the elections again.
Moreover, Rahoui said that his nomination comes from “the highest authority in the party, which is the central committee, and it is normal to accept it.”
On whether his run would upset some members of the Popular Front, such as Hammami, he noted that his nomination will not cause a dispute and will be later tackled by the coalition that will decide on the candidate who has the highest chances of winning.
Rahoui has been known for his repeated criticism of the ruling regime. He often slams the government or Ennahda Movement, which he holds responsible for Belaid’s assassination.
