The Tunisian National Assembly has passed a contentious electoral reform bill just nine days ahead of the country’s national elections, sparking outrage among opposition parties and civil society groups.
The bill, which introduces changes to the voting system and candidate eligibility, was approved late Wednesday after a heated parliamentary session, with 112 lawmakers in favor and 45 against.
Critics claim that the new legislation will disproportionately favor the ruling party and diminish the chances of smaller opposition groups in the upcoming election. One of the key changes includes a higher threshold for independent candidates to run for office, which opposition leaders argue is designed to weaken their influence.
In response to the vote, Tunisia’s opposition parties have united in calling for mass protests.
“This is an attack on democracy,” said Ahmed Najjar, a leading figure of the opposition coalition.
“We will not stand by while the government manipulates the system to stay in power.”
Opposition leaders are urging Tunisians to take to the streets in the coming days to pressure the government to reverse the reforms, vowing to escalate demonstrations in the capital, Tunis, as election day approaches.
The government, led by Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, has defended the reforms, stating they are necessary to streamline the electoral process and prevent political fragmentation.
“Tunisia’s democracy must evolve,” said a government spokesperson.
“These changes are intended to create a more stable and effective political system.”
The timing of the vote, however, has raised eyebrows among political observers, with many questioning whether the rushed approval of the bill is aimed at consolidating power ahead of what is expected to be a tightly contested election.
The upcoming elections, scheduled for October 6, are being seen as a critical test for Tunisia’s fragile democracy. Since the 2011 revolution, Tunisia has been celebrated as a rare success story of the Arab Spring, but recent years have seen rising political instability and economic hardship, leading to widespread disillusionment among the population.
Tensions have already been high across the country, with strikes and protests against economic austerity measures. The passage of the electoral bill threatens to further polarize an already divided political landscape.
With the opposition mobilizing its supporters and uncertainty surrounding the legitimacy of the upcoming polls, Tunisia’s political future hangs in the balance. All eyes are now on the streets, where protests could shape the trajectory of the nation’s democratic path.
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