The marvelous Tunisian polls - opportunity for many sick nations (including USA) to understand real democracy
Supporters of Kais Saied celebrate victory in Tunis
Image source Aawsat. com
Kais Saied, a publicity-shy commoner and an independent candidate has been elected Tunisia's new president.
61-year-old Saied is a retired law professor of modest means. He ran as an independent, NO party affiliations. Won a landslide victory with an overwhelming majority of 72%.
Real peoples' power in a country with NO 'deep state," no military interference, no rigging, no plaster-saint politicians, no bigotry, no segments of vested interest, no apartheid, no US/Zion/KSA nose poking tolerated .. and above all, a visionary young populace deeply insightful looking for quality leadership, not iconic idolization. Saied saw the flaws of the establishment and Tunisians agreed with him .... the only prerequisite of true democracy.
Kais Saied had no experience of running a campaign and never held office before. Still more importantly, he received NO funding from abroad and none from the wealthy oil gulf dictators. That played a hugely important role in proving his transparency and dispelling any suspicions of self-interest.
While Tunisia's elites are no admirers of Kais Saied, millions of common Tunisians (youth in particular) adore him.
His many former students at the University of Tunis where he once taught speak of him as a 'man of principles who welcomes disagreements.'
There were two independents in the recent Tunisian elections held in August and October this year. One was Kais Saied and the other, Nabil Karoui. Both are political outsiders, and both defeated the contestants of the mainstream political parties, Nidaa Tounes and Ennahda, in a field of 26 challengers including Youssef Chahed, the then serving prime minister of Nidaa Tounes party.
Nabil Karoui, a wealthy media mogul, was arrested and jailed on charges of tax evasion (which he denies) prior to the first round of Tunisian polls in August. Unlike the rules of many other countries, Karoui was allowed to run from prison and was the second-most successful candidate after Saied. Before the second round of Tunisian polls in October 14, Karoui was released. He, as well as all mainstream politicians concede defeat and accept Kais Saied's impressive victory with no hard feelings and no post-election mud slinging in one of the cleanest episodes in polling history.
Kais Saied has some challenges ahead. It's the Tunisian parliament that makes most decisions. Saied, an independent, doesn't have a party and could be isolated in the Parliament. If that happens, the elites would welcome it but his many supporters won't stay silent.
Supporters of Kais Saied: Image source BBC
Tunisia's post-revolution political landscape continues to belong to the Tunisian people.
LONG LIVE THE COUNTRY'S JASMINE REVOLUTION!
Arrives with his wife to cast vote Oct.13 -source Al Monitor