This paper discusses the reasons behind Tunisians disillusionment with the existing political class and their quest for an alternative, which ultimately led to the election of a political outsider- Kais Saied – as the country’s new president.
On October 2019, Tunisians chose a political outsider- law professor Kais Saied – as their new president. The failure of the consensus politics led by the country’s two leading political parties, Nidaa Tounes and Ennahda, in addition to the deteriorating economic situation and rampant corruption were the main reasons behind growing discontent among Tunisian voters, resulting in Tunisians turning away from the political establishment. This paper discusses the reasons behind Tunisians disillusionment with the existing political class and their quest for an alternative, which ultimately led to the election of a political outsider- Kais Saied – as the country’s new president.
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