Speaking Friday (November 7th) to mark his 21st year in power, Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali promised that the 2009 elections would be "transparent" and held under "conditions of integrity", local and international press reported. "We are firmly determined to promote political life in our country, by further anchoring democracy and pluralism, expanding the scope of participation, and fostering the role of civil society," he said, adding that opposition candidates would be given access to public media during campaigning.
Two opposition party leaders have already announced plans to run for the presidency: Popular Unity Party chief Mohamed Bouchiha and Najib Chebbi of the Progressive Democratic Party, despite a constitutional amendment preventing his candidacy.
