Independent lists win majority of votes in Tunisia’s Municipal Elections, Islamists Second

FILE PHOTO: A man raises his ink-stained finger after casting his vote at a polling station for the municipal election in Tunis, Tunisia, May 6, 2018. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi/File Photo

Independents’ lists won 2,367 seats in Tunisia’s municipal elections followed by Islamist Ennahda party which managed to beat rivals with 2,135 seats nationwide.

Ennahdha came first in several of the country’s largest cities including Tunis, but fell short of winning outright majorities. The Nidaa Tounes party of President Beji Caid Essebsi clinched 1,595.

Observers see that an alliance between Ennahdha and Nidaa Tounes, partners in a coalition government nationally since 2014, could mean independents will remain in opposition.

Turnout was low as 64% of voters did not show up to cast their votes.

The elections were described as a milestone on the road to democracy in the North African country, which has been praised for its transition from decades of dictatorship.

The elections are also a crucial step towards a decentralization of power in line with Tunisia’s post-2011 revolution.

About Khalid Al Mouahidi 4375 Articles
Khalid Al Mouahidi : A binational from the US and Morocco, Khalid El Mouahidi has worked for several american companies in the Maghreb Region and is currently based in Casablanca, where he is doing consulting jobs for major international companies . Khalid writes analytical pieces about economic ties between the Maghreb and the Mena Region, where he has an extensive network