Tunisian President Declares Re-election, Says He Will Not Suppress Criticism

Tunisian President Kais Saied officially filed his candidacy for the presidential election on August 5, scheduled to be held on October 6.

President Saied denied that his administration was suppressing critical voices. (Source: Arab News)

Speaking to reporters in the capital Tunis on August 5, Mr. Saied (66 years old) announced that his candidacy for the next term was for the sake of "the war of liberation and self-determination to establish a new republic".

Experts say Mr Saied's challengers face significant difficulties in their bid, with several potential candidates in jail or facing prosecution.

However, President Saied denied that his administration was suppressing critical voices.

"I do not oppress anyone, and the law applies equally to everyone. We will not accept any country interfering in the choice of the Tunisian people," he added.

On August 3, Ms. Abir Moussi, who has been detained since October 2023 and is a fierce critic of Mr. Saied, submitted her candidacy.

Other candidates jailed include Issam Chebbi, head of the centrist Al Joumhouri party, and Ghazi Chaouchi, head of the Democratic Stream party. The two were among more than 20 opponents of President Saied detained in a series of arrests in February 2023.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tuyen-bo-tai-tranh-cu-to-ng-thong-tunisia-kha-ng-dinh-khong-dan-ap-tieng-noi-chi-trich-281500.html