Tunisia’s Parliament Without Brotherhood: 3 New Political Forces Take the Lead
After Saturday’s parliamentary elections, Tunisia has entered a new phase to shape a new political landscape away from the Muslim Brotherhood.
According to analysts, preliminary results reveal that the new parliament consists of three political forces, all of which confirm their support for the political process led by Tunisian President Kais Saied since July 25, 2021.
These rising forces, accompanied by independents, form the next Tunisian parliament, which will be free of Brotherhood parties and their allies from corrupt parties.
These political forces are Zouhair Maghzaoui’s National People’s Movement, the anti-Brotherhood “Let the People Triumph” initiative, and the “July 25 Movement,” a popular extension of the July 25 trajectory.
The People’s Movement nominated 85 candidates, one from the party won since the first round, and 40 candidates were postponed to the second round.
The People’s Triumph initiative was established two months before the legislative elections, and about 130 of its supporters ran for election.
The three powers together won 13 of the 23 seats decided in the first round of early legislative elections, and have more than 105 candidates competing in the second round of the remaining 131 seats.
On Monday, Tunisia’s Independent High Electoral Commission (ISIE) announced that 23 candidates won seats in the 161-seat parliament in the first round of legislative elections.
It said 11.22% of the 9.2 million eligible voters cast their ballots in the first round.
On December 17, Tunisia witnessed early legislative elections that for the first time approved individual voting, according to the new electoral law issued by the country’s president, Kais Saied, on September 15.
The Elections Commission confirmed that the announcement of the final results of the first round, after considering any possible appeals, will be on January 19th, 2023, with the second round to be held 15 days later.
Campaigning for the second round begins on January 20th. If there are appeals against the results, the final results of the legislative elections will be announced on March 3rd at the latest.
Ten Deputies
Abderrazek Khallouli, head of movement’s political bureau for July 25th, said the movement initially won 10 candidates in the parliamentary elections, while 65 candidates passed to the second round, which is scheduled to start in February.
“The movement is seeking to gain more than 40 seats in the second round, and to form a weighted bloc in the new parliament that is backed by independent MPs,” he said.
“Any political affiliation will be welcomed, except for those with Muslim Brotherhood views, who will have no place with us,” he said.
Forming a Parliamentary Front
Meanwhile, the winner of the legislative elections, former Brigadier General Ibrahim Bouderbala said, “There is an intention to form a group of 25 July (a new front that will be in support of the path of Kais Saied) in the new parliament.
“This group will be like a front bringing together all the supporters and supporters of the July 25th Movement”, he said.
This group will be open to all political groups, independent figures and civil society activists, he said.
