Zine el Abidine Ben Ali Has Died

The former president of Tunisia Zine el Abidine Ben Ali has died in exile. When the Arab Spring erupted in 2011, he fled to Saudi Arabia. As Tunisia attempts to change course in its politics it seems that a chapter in its history has ended. Ben Ali's leadership was authoritarian, but rarely was condemned by the EU countries or US. The reason was that he was largely compliant with their interests. This explains why there were no demands from western nations that he resign like in Libya or Egypt. He was given safe protection, but that did not stop him from having a trial  absentia . President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali was known to ban political parties on the basis of fighting Islamic fundamentalist groups.What this was really doing was stopping political opposition to his rule. It was in 1991 that he banned the Nahdah Party. Zine el Abidine Ben Ali came to power through a coup in 1987 removing longtime President Habib Bourguiba. Corruption during the Ben Ali presidency was widespread and it was suspected that his family as well as allies were embezzling public funds. It has been alleged that Ben Ali had a Swiss bank account, which was frozen after he fled the country. It is uncertain if Tunisia can get these funds back, even though it may be the country's own money. President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali's rule left  Tunisia in a state of high unemployment,poverty, and general decline. Tunisia may easily revert back to an authoritarian model if Islamist parties gain more power.