The Tunisian Elections (2014)

It was 2014 when Tunisia declared its first truly free and fair election. President Zine El Abidine  Ben Ali had been removed from office due what would be know as the Arab Spring uprisings that swept across North Africa and the Middle East. This video from five years ago reports on the polls by Euronews. Beji Caid Essebsi became Tunisia's next president, but his association with the former administration drew criticism. He served as parliament speaker under the Ben Ali administration and some feared that the authoritarian tendencies would reemerge. Like most North African countries the new political transitions did not bring about more freedoms or improved living standards. Moncef Marzouk of the Congress of the Republic party ran against him claiming human rights would be under threat. Beji Caid Essebsi 's rule was not long when he passed  away at the age of 92 in 2019. The concern about electing older leaders is that their health may effect their capacity to govern. Sudden deaths could put the country in turmoil and peaceful transitions may not be possible. The Nidaa Tounes party has to figure out its political vision without their leader. Tunisia faces a bigger challenge of being next to two countries Libya and Algeria which are also dealing with political crisis and insurrection. Essebi's legacy is already being mythologized for the sake of make it seem as if the 2011 revolution promoted progress. It is too early to make such a proclamation, however the next administration will have to confront security and economic problems.