In a major setback for Tunisia’s elite, the Islamist Ennahda Party looks set to lead the country’s first democratically elected government. They appealed to the common people who sought greater credibility in politics. But concerns the country might soon become a new theocracy are exaggerated, because Tunisian Islamists are looking to Turkey as their model.
Moderate Islamists with the Ennahda Party emerged this week as the victors in Tunisia’s first-ever free elections. The precise number of votes they secured hasn’t been finalized, but with more than half of all districting reporting they are projected to win around 40 percent of the seats in a new constitutional assembly.
Many in the West are confused by the results. They recall images of happy young people on the streets of Tunis who in January toppled their dictator and celebrated their newfound freedom. Now the Islamists have won? How could it be that, given their first chance to vote, the people would cast their ballots for religious parties? Germany’s Bildtabloid newspaper even went so far as to ask: “Can I still take my beach vacation in Tunisia?”
It would be easy and indeed tempting to link the news of the victory of the Islamists in Tunisia with news of the reintroduction of polygamy in Libya. But these countries are worlds apart. For starters, Tunisia’s election result is in no way surprising — nor is it reason for panic.
First of all, it marks a victory for democracy. Sunday’s election took place without any problems, it was perfectly organized and free and fair, as all international observers confirmed. More than 50 percent of those eligible to vote went to the polls. That’s very good news in a country in which democratic elections are taking place for the first time. In addition, a very large number of people, possibly even the majority, voted for parties that aren’t defined by religion.
Categories: Tunisia