According to the results, still partial, of the first round of the presidential election, Tunisians voted for candidates who are not supported by major parties.
Kais Saïed, a 61-year-old scholar with no party or structure, who entered politics discreetly, garners 18.9 percent of the vote, according to figures from Isie, the electoral body, published Monday (Sept. the evening and covering two thirds of the votes. He is ahead of the imprisoned businessman Nabil Karoui, who receives 15.5% of the vote, ahead of the candidate of the Islamist party Ennahdha, Abdelfattah Mourou (12.9%).
Seven million voters were called on Sunday to decide between 26 candidates for the first round of the poll, which was held against the background of economic and social crisis and in a context of rejection of traditional political elites.
The participation was about 45%, according to figures still provisional of Isie, a low rate compared to 64% recorded in the first round of the presidential elections in 2014. Kais Saïed and Nabil Karoui, who claimed their qualification as early as Sunday night for the second round, both campaigned on the feeling of rejection of political elites.
The "robocop" of Tunisian politics
As a connoisseur of the constitution, Kais Saïed became known as a political commentator and cultivated an image of "Mr. Clean" incorruptible and above the fray. Nicknamed "Robocop" because of his attitude and his rigid diction, he has multiplied field trips for his first election campaign.
"Voters have sent a clear, totally new message: They have made a revolution within the framework of legality, a revolution within the framework of the Constitution, they want something new, we need new thinking. policy, "said Kais Saeed Monday.
Regularly surrounded by students or young active people, he defended socially conservative positions: he is against the abolition of the death penalty, against the repeal of the texts punishing homosexuality and indecent assault, this last text having served to convict unmarried couples kissing in the street. He also spoke out against equality in inheritance.
A candidate in prison
Nabil Karoui, he came from circles of power but he is positioned against them and saw his image of "anti-system" strengthened by his imprisonment in late August in the context of a survey for money laundering and tax fraud.
This 56-year-old businessman, who has been labeled "populist" by his detractors, has built his popularity in recent years by organizing charitable operations in disadvantaged areas, and he has the power of a private channel, Nessma, behind him. which he is the founder.
His lawyers will file a new application for release within 24 hours, but three have already been rejected by the courts. Being in prison does not prevent you from being president, provided you do not lose your civil rights, said Isie.
In the eventuality, always possible, where Nabil Karoui receives between the two rounds of a condemnation depriving him of his civil rights, "it will be necessary to do without him, and organize a second round with the candidate arrived in 3rd position", Abdelfattah Mourou, says a manager of Isie, Adel Brinsi.
The next parliamentary elections
Deals were on Monday in parties trying to draw lessons from the polls to prepare for the parliamentary elections on 6 October.
According to the partial results of Isie, the Minister of Defense Abdelkarim Zbidi arrives in 4th position with 10,1% of the votes and the Prime Minister Youssef Chahed 5th with 7,4% of the votes. A stinging defeat for candidates of the liberal family "centrist" from the party of former President Beji Caid Essebsi, who died in July.
With AFP and Reuters