In the center of Monastir, a coastal city in eastern Tunisia, Zouhair Maghzaoui does not go unnoticed. The former deputy and leader of the pan-Arab Popular Movement party, candidate for the presidential elections on October 6, is walking in the middle of the market, surrounded by his team and some police officers responsible for his security, when a woman shouts at him. “How do I feed my three children without clients? »he implores, pointing to his doctor’s office, hidden behind the secondhand clothing displays that obscure his store and have caused his attendance to decline. “The State must take charge! »Maghzaoui responded, without giving further details.
“Tunisians face a choice: remain in this absurd situation that the country finds itself in, where there is a lot of talk but no achievements, or vote en masse and opt for action”explains to World. Support for the political process through which President Kaïs Saïed has assumed full powers since his “blow of force”, on July 25, 2021, he belatedly distanced himself from the head of state whose career, according to him, “Transformed from a dream for the Tunisian people to a dictatorial process”.
“We see fear in people”
The only candidate who opposes the outgoing president, Ayachi Zammel, the third candidate selected by the Independent High Electoral Authority (ISIE), was arrested in early September for “falsifying sponsorships” and sentenced to twelve years in prison. the 1stAhem October – Zouhair Maghzaoui traveled ” almost “ all the country’s governorates to mobilize the electorate, despite the obstacles. “Everywhere we see fear in peopleobserves a member of his campaign team. There are many, including public figures, who support us but fear problems after the elections. »
In order not to exceed the regulatory budget of 150,000 dinars (about 45,000 euros) for the campaign, the ISIE, which follows the candidate on the ground, accounts for each of his expenses. “ And if we go further, it’s prison.” indicates the source cited above. Despite these limitations, Zouhair Maghzaoui is determined to maintain his candidacy. “They want to impose a president who has achieved nothing but we still decided to go to the polls” assures the candidate.
In recent weeks, the presidential campaign has been marked by several twists and turns. As of August 10, only three applications had been validated by the ISIE, which then refused to reinstate three other candidates despite court decisions in their favor. On September 27, just over a week before the elections, Parliament modified the electoral law, removing the administrative court’s power to resolve electoral disputes, a last-minute reform strongly criticized by opposition parties and several organizations of the civil society.
You have 46.52% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.
