By RFIPalled on 15-09-2019Modified on 15-09-2019 at 08:19

This Sunday, September 15, 7 million Tunisians elect their next president, who will succeed to elect Beji Caid Essebsi, died in July to three months of the end of his mandate. High unemployment, rising inflation, sluggish growth, the new head of state will face an extremely difficult economic situation in a country where rural areas feel forgotten.

The main economic challenge is unemployment. It now affects 15% of the workforce. Unemployment twice as high in poor areas in the interior of the country, where the revolution began. Young people are particularly affected. The housing crisis and the cost of living are also the main concerns of the eleven million Tunisians. Fruits, vegetables, oil, meat, prices keep increasing . For the year 2019, the inflation rate is close to 7%.

► See also : A complex and uncertain presidential election

The recovery of tourism

The population is waiting for concrete measures from the new president. There is certainly an improvement in growth, which is expected to reach 2.8% this year, according to World Bank forecasts. Good results achieved thanks to a recovery in tourism, which accounts for nearly 7% of Gross Domestic Product. Tunisia is indeed divided between coastal, tourist, and inland areas, agricultural. The tourism crisis following the attacks, in particular those of 2015 that had claimed the lives of more than 60 people , is over. Last year, the country received nearly 9 million visitors.

There remains the thorny question of controlling public spending. How to put the country back on the path of balance: the public debt now reaches 70% of GDP. As we can see, the Tunisian economy is far from over.

In Jendouba, the state of mind is not at the party

It is one of the poorest cities in the country. Long avenues with unfinished buildings lead to a bustling city center where cafes abound, filled with men who parked their bicycles at the sidewalks. The presidential is on everyone's lips, but without illusion, like Hamid, traditional dress and cane in hand. " I am desperate for this election. None can represent this country. In doubt, he does not hide his intention to vote anti-system.

Hardly further, before his jeweler's without a client, Si Ahmed pulled out a chair from which he can follow the animation of the alley. He is convinced of the usefulness of his vote. " Yes, of course, I'm going to vote because we think it's going to change things! We must improve everything, even the roads. Everything is not right, even the work, you see, all the shops are closed ... "He confides to us. This desire to improve everyday life, Hassine shares. He has been jobless for a long time, but his son on his lap motivates him for a few months. " Yes, I will vote to change the future of my little boy, my little girl, and Tunisia in general. "

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