After the bombings in Tunisia, will the next presidential term be postponed?

Doaa Emam

The Tunisian capital witnessed two suicide bombings Thursday morning, June 27. One targeted a security patrol, resulting in deaths and injuries among the security forces and a number of citizens. This comes at a time when Tunisia is looking for a recovery in tourism and also coincides with the upcoming presidential election due in November.

Tunisian political analysts have expressed concern that recent operations could be exploited for political gain or that the elections could be postponed until the security situation improves.

Carthage Document

“The complete delinquency among the heads of executive power in Tunisia affects the stability of the political and security situation in the country,” Tunisian political analyst Mustapha al-Qal’i said.

He pointed out that the political crisis began in May 2018, when President Beji Caid Essebsi suspended the Carthage Document because of disagreements between the parties on the fate of the government led by Youssef Chahed. This resulted in Ennahda, the branch of the Muslim Brotherhood in Tunisia, exchanging its positions and alliances.

Asked about the relationship between the bombings and their impact on the presidential election in November, Qal’i said, “There is a trend to postpone the elections. In an annual meeting organized by Ennahdha two days ago, the head of the movement, Rached Ghannouchi, spoke about everything except the election. He did not mention a solution to the existing problems,” adding that the current situation confirms that Tunisia has been moving towards postponement, even before the bombings, but Ennahda will certainly exploit them.

According to Qal’i, the political situation is complex and the terrorist operation in the capital will increase Tunisia’s wounds and entangle the ruling coalition. He stressed that there is an agreement between the presidency and Ennahda to postpone the election, but they are looking for a suitable way to officially announce it.

Tunisian researcher Manji al-Khadrawi confirmed that the two suicide bombings were planned for some time and carried out in Charles de Gaulle precisely because of the symbolism of the place and the start of a tourist recovery in Tunisia.

Khadrawi pointed out that there are sleeper cells preparing to carry out operations at any time, although they are demonstrative operations and do not care about a large number of casualties or deaths. But it is important to note that terrorists are still in Tunisia, although they are unable to carry out large operations due to the state’s success in eliminating the heads of these groups for some time, with the first defeat for ISIS occurring in Ben Gardane.

Tunisia has been targeted since the revolution, Khadrawi said, expressing his concern that these terrorist operations will be exploited politically with the neglect of the security aspect, especially since the focus has recently been on propaganda for the prime minister more than the country’s security.

Far from the security situation, the postponement of the election was decided before the terrorist operations, Khadrawi said, adding that the president was maneuvering with Ennahda in order to catch a breath.

It is noteworthy that the Tunisian presidency issued a statement on the deterioration of President Essebsi’s health and his transfer to a military hospital in Tunisia.