Tunisia’s main opposition coalition announced on Tuesday that they will not participate in the upcoming presidential election unless certain conditions are met. The coalition stated that they require the release of political opponents who have been charged or imprisoned since President Kais Saied assumed power in 2021. Saied had suspended parliament and made changes to the constitution, which were approved by voters in a 2021 referendum with low turnout.
President Saied is expected to run in the upcoming election, which is likely to be held in September or October. The National Salvation Front, a coalition of opposition parties, including the once-powerful Islamist movement Ennahdha, expressed concerns about the fairness of the election and outlined their conditions for participation.
The conditions set by the National Salvation Front include the release of imprisoned politicians, reopening Ennahdha’s headquarters, ensuring the neutrality and independence of the electoral commission, and restoring the independence of the judicial system. Ennahdha's headquarters were closed a year ago, and its leader, Rached Ghannouchi, was sentenced to prison on charges of glorifying terrorism, which his supporters claim are politically motivated.
President Saied's constitutional changes granted him the authority to appoint members of the electoral authority and magistrates. Tunisia, once seen as a model for democracies in the region, has faced challenges in maintaining its democratic principles since the Arab Spring uprisings in 2011.
The country's economic struggles have worsened in recent years, and Tunisia has become a significant departure point for migrants attempting dangerous journeys to Europe from Tunisia and other parts of Africa.
