Africa

Tunisian President Announces Re-election Bid Amid Controversy

today22 July, 2024

Background
Il Presidente Sergio Mattarella con Kaïs Saïed Presidente della Repubblica Tunisina
(foto di Francesco Ammendola – Ufficio per la Stampa e la Comunicazione della Presidenza della Repubblica)

Tunisian President, Kais Saied announced on Friday that he will run for another term in the upcoming October 6 elections, aiming “to continue the national liberation struggle.” according to Reuters. Opposition parties, many of whose leaders are imprisoned, accuse Saied’s government of pressuring the judiciary to suppress rivals ahead of the 2024 elections. On the same day, a court sentenced opposition leader Lotfi Mraihi to eight months in prison for vote buying and banned him from running in presidential elections for life.

Written by: Leonard Witbeen