Tunisian Presidential Elections 2009
14/10/2009
Welcome to this special section on Magharebia.com, devoted to presenting articles and reader feedback on the October 25th, 2009 presidential elections in Tunisia. This space will provide in-depth reporting and analytical coverage of the elections, short biographies of the four candidates, and comments from now through the close of the polls on Election Day.
Ahmed Brahim
 |
Secretary-General of the Ettajdid Movement Born on June 14th, 1946, Brahim is a professor of comparative linguistics at University of Tunis. He was forced to go into early retirement several years ago for political reasons. In the mid-1960s, he joined the Tunisian Communist Party, where he was elected to the central committee in 1981 and the political bureau in 1987. In 1993, he and other progressive activists belonging to various leftist currents founded the Ettajdid Movement. During the movement's founding congress in 2001, Brahim played a prominent role in the decision to adopt an opposition role, and was elected assistant secretary-general. In 2007, Brahim played a key role in the movement's second congress, which saw Ettajdid Movement leaders and independent progressive democratic figures close ranks. During that congress, he was elected secretary-general. Brahim pledges to ensure full transparency in economic dealings, bring about tax reform for the benefit of workers and middle-income people, prioritise dealing with unemployment, reform education, and reinstate the values of freedom, solidarity and respect for others nation-wide.
Ahmed Innoubli
 |
Secretary-General of the Unionist Democratic Union (UDU) Born October 21st, 1958, Innoubli is a lawyer. He joined the UDU in 1992 and became a member of the political bureau of the party in 1995. In 2004, he was elected UDU secretary-general, a post to which he was re-elected in 2006. In the presidential election of October 2004, Innoubli called on members of his party and citizens in general to vote for President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. In October 2008, the party announced that it was nominating Innoubli for the post of president. Innoubli has served as a UDU parliamentarian since 2004. He is also a member of the General Secretariat of the Arab Parties Congress, the General Secretariat of the Democratic Revolutionary Arab Dialogue Forum, and the Maghreb Parties Forum. Innoubli pledges to develop Tunisia's media, especially the state media, and expand political plurality and the right to voice dissenting opinions. He also pledges to boost the gains made by the national reform movement in order to support inter-generational communication. According to Innoubli, this is to be achieved through defending Tunisia's Arab and Islamic identity in the face of Westernisation, as well as preserving gains in terms of compulsory and free-of-charge education. He also pledges to enhance progressive advances and legislation for women, defend the private sector, and ensure the right to work, health care and education as the basis for human dignity.
Mohamed Bouchiha
 |
Secretary-General of the Popular Unity Party (PUP) Mohamed Bouchiha was born on June 21st, 1948 in Tunis. He obtained a bachelor's degree in history and geography, and a supplemental certificate in sociology. His past jobs have included working as a journalist for government newspaper La Presse, as a press attaché in the Tunisian Bureau of Family Planning, as a regional representative of the Tunisian Bureau of Family Planning and Human Development, as a manager of the National Company for Inter-city Transport, as general manager of the Cross-Desert Pipeline Transport Company (TRABSA) and as general manager of the Tunisian Industrial Cement Company. Since January 2000, Bouchiha has served as the PUP secretary-general. Bouchiha attaches great importance to parliamentary work based on the political platform of his party, which proposes a parliamentary system for Tunisia instead of the presidential system. Before being elected to Parliament in 1999, Bouchiha headed the PUP list in every legislative election organised in Tunisia since 1981. Bouchiha bills himself as a supporter of reform and opponent of radicalism. He has made repeated calls for enhancing political and constitutional reforms to boost pluralism. He also supports the rule of law and is active on issues related to the public sector and employment. He backs protecting the purchasing power of the average citizen, supporting the agricultural sector, preserving the environment, developing modern technologies, implementing educational reform, expanding public freedoms and pushing forward with Maghreb integration and Arab solidarity.
Zine-El-Abidine Ben-Ali
 |
President of the Tunisian Republic Member, Constitutional Democratic Rally (RCD) Ben Ali is the second person to hold the post of president of the Tunisian Republic since the country obtained its independence from France in 1956. Ben Ali was born on September 3rd, 1936. Prior to becoming president, he obtained a diploma from Saint-Cyr Military Academy and other credentials from institutions including the Châlons-sur-Marne Artillery School in France. He also obtained certifications from institutions in the United States in fields including intelligence and security. He holds a diploma in electronic engineering. On November 7th, 1987, then-president Habib Bourguiba was declared by physicians to be medically unfit to fulfil the responsibilities of his office. Under Article 57 of the Constitution, then-prime minister Ben Ali became the president of Tunisia. He has held that post to the present day. He is a member of the RCD. As president, Ben Ali pledges to boost local democracy, expand partnerships between the state and civil society, raise the average citizen's income, increase the coverage of social programs to 98% of the population, create 425,000 jobs in the next five years and enhance good governance.
تونسية Posted 2009-10-15
The winner in the elections will be the current president, Ben Ali, who has no rival. The others are mere pictures, no more, or less. We are far from democracy. We are far from it in Tunisia. Woe to those who vote for someone else other than Ben Ali.
ELMABROUK GARCI Posted 2009-10-16
Those who think that candidates competing with Ben Ali in the presidential elections in Tunisia on October 25, 2009 will find one wise person to cast ballot in their boxes are wrong. The Tunisian people have reached an advanced degree of political awareness, can separate the good and bad, and cannot vote for the so-called opposition, which has obscure platforms. These shop parties are not at all qualified to lead Tunisia. The platform of Ben Ali and its veteran Rally party, which has fought wars of liberation and development, is clear and reflects the interests of all categories of the Tunisian people. This comprehensive programme has been initiated and maintained by Ben Ali for years. Progress and development are clear for every insightful person inside and outside Tunisia. We wished all national currents would endorse the presidency of Ben Ali and continue its leadership, because by God, they are not capable, even all of them together (I mean the opposition candidates) of doing anything for Tunisia. They lack experience and public support. The public supports the Democratic Constitutional Rally and knows no other party on battlefields, battles for independence, battles for development and progress... May God bless those who know their own worth... Will this opposition be wise, support Ben Ali and withdraw quietly to leave the terrain for true militants? There is no need to embarrass themselves by getting a small number of votes, which will be cast by a few who are unconscious and unwise, in their boxes. There is more to come.
هاجر بوسيقه Posted 2009-10-21
I vote for Ben Ali. The red card in which the box of Ben Ali is always on the top. The green card is in the box and the RCD is always on the top. Long live Tunisia, free and independent, with Ben Ali to overcome the challenge and the option of the future. Yes, he is the best for Tunisia.
Harzallah Hamed Posted 2009-10-21
To be sincere and particularly lucid, I can no longer think of our future without Ben Ali as head of state. He is irreplaceable, and believe me, this is not hypocrisy. We must do all we can to show gratitude and fidelity to our rescuer, who's done so much for us and for the image of Tunisia, so that it will shine more and more!!! Thank you, Mr. President.
مريم Posted 2009-10-22
Long live Ben Ali today and tomorrow; it will be better with Ben Ali.
dorra chouchane Posted 2009-10-22
Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
ahmed Posted 2009-10-24
Why this masquerade for the Tunisian people? Leave the king tranquil, and give all this money to the poor people.
mohamed habssaya Posted 2009-10-24
Maghreb countries don't take care of the environment!
كاكا Posted 2009-10-25
Ben Ali is the choice of the future. Long live Ben Ali. We are all with Ben Ali in the presidential election.
pour le bien de tout le monde Posted 2009-10-25
I think that if President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali opens up to all the Tunisian parties, this will avoid a future darker than what we have today. He cannot directly invite the most radical movements to react, because, in so doing, it will not be Tunisia but all of the countries that surround it that will be in danger. I invite all of the living powers to show their wisdom and invite the president to make a show of good faith.
adel mansoura Posted 2009-10-25
In Tunisia, the 2009 legislative and presidential elections are part of a policy of openness and pluralism that was established with the accession to power of President Ben Ali. As such, I can only encourage this purely democratic process.
الحسين الررقى Posted 2009-10-25
We are with Ben Ali.
wael bouzrati Posted 2009-10-25
For Ben Ali all life long.
Anonymous Posted 2009-10-25
The only thing that could get better for Tunisia is to have Ben Ali as president again. With a good growth rate, the rigorous management of the country's resources and, most importantly, the security of property and people, there will be civil peace. My Tunisian brothers, may God protect you from Arab democracy.
دلال Posted 2009-10-26
Zine Al Abidine Ben Ali has the most chances. Since he rose to power, Tunisia has acquired a world and international position.
ahmed Posted 2009-10-26
The results were known in advance, so why even have elections? This is Ben Ali-style. This is nothing but a waste of the poor people’s money.
ahmed Posted 2009-10-26
You want me to say that this is good, that the results of the election are good. There are no elections in the Arab world – not in Algeria, not in Tunisia, not in Egypt. All the others are dictators or emirs or kings.
عمر Posted 2009-10-27
Salam alikum. All Arab countries are like each other.
boss Posted 2009-10-27
Fix the photograph of Bouchiha. It seem a bit fake to me.
عفيف عبد الجواد Posted 2009-11-01
It is clear that the victory of Ben Ali is another clear example that he is the most suitable. History has taught us that Ben Ali has kept all his promises. His 24-point electoral programme was the main cause of his victory. It is a studied programme and deserves support, unlike those of the other candidates. [It's] the most important thing, and what made the contest interesting. We ask God to assist him for the good of the country.
eveana Posted 2009-11-02
Ben Ali began his presidency in 1987. There will be no one like him. I encourage him to continue his mission and reforms. He is the best choice for Tunisia. He has defended women, defended their rights to equality. We are with Ben Ali at all times.
M. A Posted 2009-11-03
Ben Ali really represents the man who saved Tunisia. Flashback to Tunisia’s situation in 1988: It was on the brink of collapse. Today, in 2009, Tunisia is a developed, prosperous country that is full of security. For these reason and for others, we elected Ben Ali, who deserved to be elected by 100%.
فاروق Posted 2009-11-06
There is no presidency without a man president or woman president.
swid aymen Posted 2009-11-07
Aymen Souid. We are with our president Ben Ali who boost the right and peace under the wing of the right for a better future.
sofiene-sousse Posted 2009-11-08
Thank you, Ben Ali. You are truly my father.
mouhamed Posted 2009-11-14
It beggars belief that one person defeats three with a difference of 98%.
بن علي وبس Posted 2009-11-15
I hope it will be Ben Ali. A Libyan who loves Tunisia.
ben 3li toz 3lik Posted 2009-11-23
May God curse you all. You are lauding the biggest robber and the biggest tyrant; presidency, let's see some change. We are dreaming about democracy and rights. With change, we can remove all hurdles and rubbish belonging to the past.
يسرى المجدوب Posted 2009-11-26
Presidential elections were held in democracy and transparency. The people had their word. All Tunisia is with Ben Ali. All the people loved Ben Ali. My husband and eye belong to this people. Long live Tunisia! Long live Ben Ali!
nour el houda Posted 2009-12-11
Magharebia gives us the most important information. Thank you for this.
الصحبي قابس Posted 2009-12-19
In the name of God the Beneficent the Merciful. Anyone who can rule Tunisia can rule any country in the world. President Ben Ali has shown great power in ruling Tunisia, overcoming internal ideological contradictions between different internal political schools as well as external and world influences. Everyone has an interest in the success of Tunisia. The main interest of Tunisia and Tunisians is with Ben Ali.
منصف المثلوتي Posted 2010-01-02
President Ben Ali defeated backwardness in dear Tunisia. Without him, we would have been victim of starvation and ignorance. He is a skilled politician and genius intellectual. It is impossible to find or imagine a personality replacing him even in the long term.
Anonymous Posted 2010-01-28
I really wonder who will win the ellections this time??? I couldn't guess even in a thousand years!!!!!!!
Libyano Posted 2010-02-18
While I am not from Tunis, I do respect the Will of the Tunisian people to elect and govern for themselves. President Ben Ali may have been a benevolent ruler to many, but we cannot allow ourselves to be loyal to a single ruler, at the expense of the democratic process. As we look at the rest of the world, many democratic societies impose term limits on sovereign leaders in order to preserve democracy. We are better served when new ideas are and new leaders lead our societies forward, and not backward. President Ben Ali may have been the solution for Tunisia in the past. However, Tunisians and the institution of democracy cannot allow for him to be solution for the future.
We welcome your comments on Magharebia's articles.
It is our hope that you will use this forum to interact with other readers across the Maghreb. In order to keep this experience interesting, we ask you to follow the rules outlined in the comments policy. By submitting comments, you are consenting to these rules. While Magharebia.com encourages discussion on all subjects, including sensitive ones, the comments posted are solely the views of those submitting them. Magharebia.com does not necessarily endorse or agree with the ideas, views, or opinions voiced in these comments. This is a moderated forum. Comments deemed abusive, offensive, or those containing profanity may not be published.
Magharebia's Comments Policy