An 88-Year-Old Secular Politician Becomes President of Tunisia

The results of the Tunisian elections have confirmed that Beji Caid Essebsi, an experienced secular politician and head of the Nidaa Tounes party, has become the president of the country. According to reports, Mr. Caid Essebsi, aged 88, received more than 55% of the total votes. Moncef Marzouki, the interim president of Tunisia, was Mr. Caid Essebsi's competitor in this election. On Monday, January 1, the French news agency reported that the Independent High Authority for Elections in Tunisia announced a voter turnout of over 61%. This commission also reported that Moncef Marzouki received about 44% of the votes. Meanwhile, Laurent Fabius, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated that 'France appreciates the good conduct of the presidential election in Tunisia.' This election is the first presidential election in Tunisia after the overthrow of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's regime, which has been freely held since the country's independence in 1956. The first round of the presidential election took place on November 23 of this year, but since no candidate received a majority, Moncef Marzouki and Beji Caid Essebsi advanced to the second round, which was held on December 21. The secular Nidaa Tounes party, led by Beji Caid Essebsi, won the most seats in the parliamentary elections two months ago, defeating its main rival, the Ennahda Islamic Movement. After the Tunisian revolution, he was tasked with forming a government and held this responsibility until the National Constituent Assembly elections, which were the first free elections in Tunisia's history.