Tunisian President Kais Saied is set to win re-election on Sunday with few obstacles in his path, as his main opponents have either been imprisoned or excluded from the ballot. Saied, who rose to power in 2019 as a political outsider, has marginalized his rivals through a crackdown on political freedoms and the media, leaving little room for a genuine challenge in the upcoming election.
The president’s main opponents include media magnate Nabil Karoui, who is currently serving a prison sentence for money laundering and tax evasion, and former Prime Minister Youssef Chahed, who has been disqualified from running due to a corruption conviction. Without these key figures in the race, Saied is expected to secure a comfortable victory and continue his controversial leadership style, which has been marked by a series of controversial moves, including the suspension of parliament and the dismissal of the prime minister.
Saied’s consolidation of power has raised concerns among human rights groups and democracy advocates, who view his actions as a threat to Tunisia’s fragile democracy. Critics argue that the president’s anti-corruption campaign has been used as a pretext to eliminate political opponents and quash dissent, leading to a shrinking space for free speech and independent media in the country.
Despite these criticisms, Saied remains popular among many Tunisians who see him as a reformer and a champion of transparency and accountability. With his main rivals out of the way, the president is poised to win another term in office and further solidify his grip on power in Tunisia.
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