By RFIPalled on 13-09-2019Modified on 13-09-2019 at 17:38

The first round of the presidential election is scheduled this Sunday. The 26 candidates are making their last meetings this Friday, September 13th. One of the favorites of this election Nabil Karoui will remain him in prison. The Tunisian Court of Cassation declared itself incompetent and therefore refused an appeal allowing the sulfurous businessman to be released. This presidential is closely scrutinized outside the borders, to know where is the Tunisian democracy, pioneer and unique survivor of the wave of Arab Spring 2011.

In front of the steps of the Court of Cassation, a white building of four floors, this Friday no support, no banner for Nabil Karoui . Unlike the September 5 hearing where dozens of his supporters had made the move to follow the rejection by the Court of Appeal of his application for release.

The businessman suspected of money laundering and tax fraud will therefore remain behind bars in his cell Mornaguia, near Tunis. The magistrates felt that there was no formal defect when in July he was left free with a ban on leaving the country.

Judicial impasse if Karoui qualifies for the second round

According to his lawyers, as a candidate, he had to be allowed to travel to campaign with Tunisian citizens residing abroad. Imprisoned since 23 August, the 56-year-old media tycoon is now demanding, under the pressure of a hunger strike, according to his campaign team, to be able to vote on Sunday. The boss of the Nesma TV channel enjoys a high popularity. It mainly targets the inner classes of the country, which are plagued by poverty.

If Nabil Karoui was qualified for the second round or even if he carried Carthage, the justice could be in a new impasse. Because the case has not been tried and the presidential immunity is not retroactive. The file must now be returned to a judge.

The novelty of televised debates

This presidential campaign version 2019 was very short in Tunisia: just ten days. Its main strength: the three televised debates broadcast at the beginning of the week on several local channels and on social networks. This allowed Tunisians to listen to each candidate, to see how they defend their ideas.

This has mainly allowed to highlight candidates who are not part of the favorites. This is the case, for example, of lawyer Abir Moussi, who seems to have convinced Internet users about security issues. This service was also noticed by the liberal Mohsen Marzouk, who promises to restore Tunisian diplomacy through a high council of intellectuals and businessmen.

Between exaltation and indifference

In the end, this condensed presidential campaign will have been followed differently. On the one hand, Tunisians who were passionate about televised debates between the candidates at the beginning of the week and who are able to quote the programs of two, three or even four personalities. These are people who hesitate until the last minute between several candidates and it also feeds the suspense of this first round.

On the other side of the electorate, a large number of Tunisians express a certain indifference. They believe that candidates do not respond to their concern for everyday life: the high cost of food, electricity and gas or unemployment.

    On the same subject

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