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Tunisia election: Essebsi v Marzouki in runoff vote Tunisia election: Essebsi v Marzouki in runoff vote
(35 minutes later)
A veteran politician from Tunisia’s old regime and a symbol of its democratic revolution will go head-to-head in a runoff vote. A veteran politician from Tunisia’s old regime will go head-to-head with a symbol of its democratic revolution in a runoff vote.
Beji Caid Essebsi, 87, garnered just over 39% of the vote while interim president and former human rights campaigner Moncef Marzouki finished with 33%, according to results released by the electoral commission for Sunday’s contest between 22 candidates.Beji Caid Essebsi, 87, garnered just over 39% of the vote while interim president and former human rights campaigner Moncef Marzouki finished with 33%, according to results released by the electoral commission for Sunday’s contest between 22 candidates.
With just 6% separating the two candidates representing divergent views of Tunisia’s future, the runoff vote in two weeks could be a tight race.With just 6% separating the two candidates representing divergent views of Tunisia’s future, the runoff vote in two weeks could be a tight race.
Tunisians overthrew President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in 2011 and embarked on a rocky transition that saw an Islamist-led coalition come to power in elections, but was characterised by a failing economy and terrorist attacks.Tunisians overthrew President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in 2011 and embarked on a rocky transition that saw an Islamist-led coalition come to power in elections, but was characterised by a failing economy and terrorist attacks.
Essebsi, who held several positions under Tunisia’s first president, Habib Bourguiba, and later parliamentary speaker under Ben Ali, presented himself as a return to stability. His party, Nida Tunis (Tunisia’s Call), won the most seats in last month’s parliamentary election.Essebsi, who held several positions under Tunisia’s first president, Habib Bourguiba, and later parliamentary speaker under Ben Ali, presented himself as a return to stability. His party, Nida Tunis (Tunisia’s Call), won the most seats in last month’s parliamentary election.
People saw a vote for Essebsi as a way of overcoming the turmoil of the transition and punishing the Islamists for their two years in power.People saw a vote for Essebsi as a way of overcoming the turmoil of the transition and punishing the Islamists for their two years in power.
The Islamist Ennahda party did not field or endorse a candidate in the presidential elections, but its supporters are believed to be backing Marzouki.The Islamist Ennahda party did not field or endorse a candidate in the presidential elections, but its supporters are believed to be backing Marzouki.
Many Tunisians continue to support Marzouki as an icon of human rights in the country amid fears that Essebsi represents the return of the one-party state.Many Tunisians continue to support Marzouki as an icon of human rights in the country amid fears that Essebsi represents the return of the one-party state.
There is likely to be feverish activity in the next few weeks as the candidates seek to woo those who voted for the 20 other candidates, particularly the leftwing politician Hamma Hammami, who came third with nearly 8%.There is likely to be feverish activity in the next few weeks as the candidates seek to woo those who voted for the 20 other candidates, particularly the leftwing politician Hamma Hammami, who came third with nearly 8%.