Tunisians vote in presidential election amidst controversy

Voters in the North African nation will choose from three candidates, including Ayachi Zammel, the liberal head of the Azimoun party, who has been imprisoned just before the election. Zammel is facing over 12 years in prison for alleged electoral violations. The Tunisian public prosecutor ordered his detention pending trial on September 4, with police accusing him of falsifying campaign details. His team confirmed his detention on September 2.

Another candidate, Zouhair Magzhaoui of the left-wing nationalist People's Movement, is viewed as a supporter of the current president. Magzhaoui has expressed intentions to strengthen ties with Arab and African nations, as well as the BRICS bloc, in an effort to revive Tunisia's economy. He stated, "The Tunisian foreign policy has long been hostage to ties with its traditional partners, mainly the European Union. These relations are rooted in the [European] hegemony, and this needs change."

In the lead-up to the election, President Saied reshuffled his cabinet on August 25, changing several ministers, including those in the foreign and defense departments. The statement posted on Facebook provided no explanation for the sudden overhaul, which removed 19 ministries and three state secretaries, occurring just days after Saied dismissed the former Prime Minister. (ILKHA)