By RFIPalled on 09-08-2019Modified on 09-08-2019 at 17:32

In Tunisia, the deadline for applications for the early presidential election is set for Friday evening, 9 August. At least 69 candidates have filed their case with the independent body responsible for these elections (Isie) which are scheduled for 15 September. Just this Friday, 13 new candidatures have been filed, including that of Youssef Chahed, the Prime Minister, who does not resign from office.

The Tunisian Prime Minister is one of the last candidates to have formalized his candidacy. This training engineer presents himself as the candidate of the new generation, of rupture. When his party, Tahya Tounes, invested it on July 25, he announced his position against the " old system, old practices and old mentalities ".

It was he who founded the Tahya Tounes party last January, following a split of Nidaa Tounes and protesting against corruption within this party. Tahya Tounes is today the first Liberal party in Parliament.

Youssef Chahed, however, should have to deal with other powerful candidates, like the Minister of Defense, Abdelkarim Zbidi, one of the favorites who claims to be independent. Also facing Abdel Fatah Mourou, vice president of Islamist-inspired party Ennahdha . This candidate has also officialized his candidacy this Friday. Ennahdha is the third largest political force in the country, but the first in Parliament.

Applications validated or not by the end of August

Mohsen Marzouk, from the Machrou Tounes party, also presented his candidacy today. He joins other personalities who have submitted their candidacy as Moncef Marzouki, the former president, Mehdi Jemaa, the former Prime Minister or Nabil Karoui, a controversial businessman. Candidates less well known in politics are also talking about them as Abir Moussa, sympathizer of the former regime of Ben Ali, or the lawyer Mounir Baatour, leader of the liberal party and homosexual lawyer.

The Forum is given until the end of the month to announce the names of eligible candidates who meet all the conditions necessary to participate in the election.

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