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The Lawfare Podcast
Lawfare Daily: Recent Elections and the State of Democracy in Tunisia
Oct 22, 2024
Sarah Yerkes, a Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment, and Sabina Henneberg, a Soref Fellow at the Washington Institute, dive into the troubling state of democracy in Tunisia. They discuss the recent elections where President Kais Saied claimed a staggering 91% of the vote amidst widespread skepticism. The duo highlights the erosion of civil liberties, the fractured political landscape, and the chilling consequences for democratic institutions. They also analyze the U.S. response and Tunisia's geopolitical shifts, painting a grim picture for the country's future.
42:26
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Quick takeaways
- The recent elections in Tunisia were controlled to ensure President Kais Saied's power consolidation, reflecting a significant erosion of democratic principles.
- Despite the repression of dissent, Tunisia's civil society continues to operate, showcasing resilience amid a challenging authoritarian environment.
Deep dives
The Rise of Authoritarianism in Tunisia
The political landscape in Tunisia has shifted dramatically since the election of President Kais Saied in 2019, culminating in a self-initiated coup in 2021 that drastically eroded the democratic institutions established after the Arab Spring. Saied capitalized on a series of crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, economic collapse, and political paralysis, to consolidate power and limit parliamentary authority. This consolidation included freezing parliament and creating a new constitution that grants him extraordinary powers, thus dismantling a decade of democratic progress. The significance of these changes is underscored by the rapid decline in political engagement and public confidence, leading to a largely unchallenged authoritarian regime.
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