The election for Tunisia’s Constituent Assembly was held on October 23rd, 2011. The main topic of debate in Tunisia leading up to the election was the role of Secularism vs. Islamism in the state. Ben Ali’s government was very secular and had prevented a rise of even moderate Islamism. The banned party Ennahda was now allowed to participate within the Tunisian elections, along with dozens of other parties.
Tunisian woman after just voting
The outcome of the elections was quite significant. Ennahda was a clear winner in the elections, garnering 90 out of the 217 seats. The closest follower was the CPR, a center-left secular party, that gaining 30 seats. While Ennahda gained numerous seats, it did not reach the 109 seats necessary for a majority.
2011 Tunisian election results
The results suggest that there will certainly be reforms in the government, especially with the view towards Islamism. The extent to which changes will be made is important. Hopefully, Ennahda will allow religious diversity and continue supporting democratic policies. This is essential for the continued transition towards a Tunisian democracy.
No comments:
Post a Comment