| Tunisian citizens wave flags and portraits of their president |
For observers, the 2009 pending elections will be a good occasion to assess the political scene in the country, notably after the induction of significant constitutional amendments by the current government with the aim of guaranteeing pluralism, and expanding the participation in the management of the Republic’s institution.
According to different sources, Mr. Ahmad Al-Aynoubli, General Secretary of the Unionist Democratic Union, is the candidate that will run for the 2009 elections on behalf of the party. The Unionist Democratic Union mentioned, in an official statement, that its political department had recommended the participation in all constituencies of the legislative elections.
Presidential hopeful, Mohammed Bouchiha, the Secretary General of he Popular Union Party announced his participation in the elections on the 1st of September, 2008.
Following the unrelenting calls of the majority of Tunisians to have him as candidate, Head of State, Zine Al Abidine Ben Ali, will seek to renew his term of office. Earlier this year, speaking before the Congress of the Constitutional Democratic Rally, the ruling party, President Ben Ali said, “I tell you with pride… that I will not disregard my commitment… It is an honour to answer your calls… Yes, I will be your candidate for the presidential elections”.
Since the Change when President Ben Ali took the reigns in 1987, Tunisia has grabbed the attention and the admiration of many international organisations. The Tunisian President has succeeded in securing both political stability and economic growth. Concerning his electoral programme, the Head of State, designated a number of priorities, notably the support of economic growth, the consolidation of human rights, the reinforcement of democracy and the back up of women’s role in society and politics.
The 2009 elections will constitute the third pluralistic ballot vote subsequent to the 1999, and the 2004 elections. A record number of Tunisians is expected to cast vote as a result of the parliamentary ratification that brought down legal vote age from 20 to 18 year-old with the aim of encouraging about half million youths to take part in the 2009 legislative and presidential ballots.
