Amal Hilali - Tunisia

"Systam" is a term that has been strongly mentioned since the results of the first round of the presidential elections in Tunisia last Sunday, and a wide spectrum of Tunisians wondered about the fate of "Sistam" after the resounding defeat suffered by candidates from the ruling system, and others affiliated with the former regime and the deep state.

"Sistam" is a word that has entered the vernacular of the slang in Tunisia, which is inspired by the French language and means "system" in reference to what was known in the backstage of the ruling system and influential and deep state.

The first round of elections resulted in the rise of two independent figures with almost no political activity: Qais Saeed, who led the rankings, a constitutional expert and a university student. And noble villager who is known for his activity in the world of finance and media.

A wide spectrum of Tunisians, especially the faces affiliated with the revolution, slept on the euphoria of what they called the "night of the fall of the systam", during the announcement of the preliminary results of the presidential elections, expressing their joy at the defeat of the faces on the regime.

Others, however, cautioned that Karoui was an extension of the deep state, that he was the son of the Sistam, and the haven of parties that failed to push their candidates for the second round, including Abdul Karim al-Zubaidi, Abeer Musa, Yousef al-Shahid, Mohsen Marzouk, and others.

Build a new system
Sociologist Sami Brahm rejected the hypothesis of the fall of the "system", describing it as absurd. He stressed that the revolution is trying to build a new system on the ruins of an old system, which eroded and lost control and penetration within the state apparatus.

He pointed out that after the revolution, "Systam" maintained its solid body and intertwined system, despite the loss of control over part of the authority.

Brahim argues that Karoui cannot really be counted on the "system" as much as a safe-haven shelter from years of judicial trauma. He tried to get closer to the Tunisian and Essebsi plea, and then failed to enter the presidency in search of impunity.

The prisoner, who is in prison on charges of financial corruption and money laundering, is known to have contributed to the rise of the late President Beji Caid Essebsi to power when he opened his own channel, Nessma, to promote himself and his party.

He briefly held a leading position in Nidaa Tounes, but the differences between him and Hafez Kayed Essebsi's son, Beji Kayed Essebsi, hastened his deportation.He became busy after his son's death in charity.He then formally engages in political work and establishes the Heart of Tunisia party and advances to the presidency.

Deep state erosion
For his part, political activist Amine Bouazizi believes that since the outbreak of the revolution that toppled the late President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, the deep state has lost its political facade, but has tried hard to regain it in the 2014 elections, which won by Kaid Essebsi and his party Nidaa Tunisia.

He told Al Jazeera Net that the outcome of the presidential elections in 2019 is a painful blow to "Systam", which began to lose a large part of its cohesion and control of the joints of the state.

He admitted, in turn, that it is not possible to actually talk about the fall of the "Sistam" definitively, adding, "We are in front of a candidate representing the old system in the ugliest manifestations and the system" Mafiozi "," Here I talk about Nabil Karoui, who is supported by all those forces, whether secretly Publicly. "

Rural deformation
For his part, denounced Hatem al-Maliki, President of the presidential campaign of the candidate Nabil Karawi, some attempts to distort their candidate and classified within the category of candidates of traditional parties and the extension of the deep state.

He stressed in a statement to Al Jazeera Net that Karoui differs in his vision and social and political approach from the rest of the parties, such as the call of Tunisia and long live Tunisia, with what he described as chaotic currents, and that he seeks to review the performance of the state on the basis of resistance to poverty and on the basis of economic and social issue.

Al-Maliki called for not being driven behind some who seek to sabotage the state and destroy its social institutions and gains, in reference to the rival candidate Qais Said.

He warned against what he called a systematic attempt by some parties in the government to break the path of democratic transition and pollute the electoral climate by depriving their imprisoned candidate Nabil Karawi, from talking about his political and social program and direct supporters.

Party support for Said
Many believe that the chances of independent candidate Qais Said are increasing day by day, with an unprecedented popular rally on the Tunisian public, especially the youth, as well as the announcement of political parties and presidential candidates to support him in the second round.

Candidates affiliated with the revolutionary trend, including Safi Said, Seif Eddine Makhlouf, Lotfi Meraihi, Moncef Marzouki and Hashemi Hamidi, announced their absolute support for Qais Said in the second round, directing their supporters to vote for him.

Political parties, through official statements, revealed their support for Said, such as the Democratic Current, the People's Movement, the Republican Party, the Socialist Party, and the Mahaba Movement, while prominent Ennahdha leaders announced their support for the candidate who holds the values ​​and principles of the revolution in the second round, without issuing a formal communication from the movement.