Tunisians begin to discuss presidential elections

Months before the October presidential elections, the Tunisian street is already speculating on the winner.

Some politicians and political analysts predict President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali will win, given his long time in office and the resources he can mobilise for his campaign, yet others insist that the elections will provide equal chances so that any of the five candidates can sweep the votes.

"President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali relies on a strong party that has bases across the entire Tunisian soil," said political analyst Salah Ataia, "something that will enable him to launch a strong campaign with known mechanisms that a party in office possesses." It is a fact Ben Ali for which should not be blamed, according to Ataia. "On the other hand, we find divided opposition parties that have wasted the chance to ally and participate with a common agenda. Elections in all countries are the cap of a political and media battle that extends for years. However, in Tunisia, party activities are few and slow."

Khalid Haddad, founder of a website specialising in politics, agreed with Ataia. "There are certain factors that can't be ignored," he said. "The first factor is related to President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, candidate of the ruling party, and his decisive and historical roles in the march of the country, achieving stability and the many gains that have been made. [Though these] hide certain shortcomings in some fields, such as the inequality of distribution of the fruits of national wealth and the slowness of political development in the country, in my opinion, this is a natural in all human experiences."

Khalid Haddad said that the electoral process itself might confuse voters. "There are some people who say that they will run to compete against Ben Ali on an equal footing. I think that this is a sort of manipulation of voters' feelings to deceive them into believing in something that is not currently possible, which is the ability and readiness of the opposition to rule the country."

Magherabia...