Article
Sarah Yerkes
{
"authors": [
"Sarah Yerkes"
],
"type": "commentary",
"centerAffiliationAll": "",
"centers": [
"Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
"Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center"
],
"collections": [],
"englishNewsletterAll": "",
"nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
"primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
"programAffiliation": "",
"programs": [],
"projects": [
"Tunisia Monitor"
],
"regions": [
"North Africa",
"Tunisia",
"Maghreb"
],
"topics": []
}
Source: Getty
Commentary
Sarah Yerkes on Beji Caid Essebsi’s Death
Tunisia faces its first transition of power since Beji Caid Essebsi became the first democratically elected president. Carnegie Fellow Sarah Yerkes explains what the recent death of President Essebsi means for the future of Tunisia.
By Sarah Yerkes
Published on Jul 25, 2019
Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi passed away on July 25, triggering a new political and institutional challenge for Tunisia.
Essebsi was the country’s first democratically elected president, so Tunisia has never faced this sort of transition.
The turnover has been smooth so far. Following constitutional procedure, speaker of parliament, 85-year-old Mohamed Ennaceur, took over as interim president within hours of the announcement of the president’s death.
But, we could still see some stormy waters ahead.
There are two main issues in short term. First, the constitution requires that new elections be held for president between 45-90 days of his death—at latest, October 23.
But, the country is already scheduled to hold regular presidential elections 3 ½ weeks later—on November 17.
So, the interim president and the electoral body must now decide whether they can pull off early elections and if not, whether they can legally postpone the 90 period to November 17 to keep on the regular schedule.
Ennaceur is also going to need to decide how to handle a new law passed by parliament in June that would exclude certain candidates from running for president in the next election.
President Essebsi had not signed the law before his death, causing anger amongst many parliamentarians.
The interim president does have the power to sign the law, but doing so may be seen as acting against wishes of President Essebsi, who had spoken out against the law.
There are also some longer term implications. First, this is a major blow to Nidaa Tounes, the president’s party. The party is already fractured and operating as two competing branches—one led by his highly unpopular son, Hafedh Caid Essebsi. President Essebsi’s death could spell the end of the party.
Conversely, we are likely to see positive signs for Nidaa’s political rivals—both Ennadha and Tahya Tounes.
For Ennahda, with one of its own in parliamentary speakership today, this could further normalize Islamists in power.
For Tahya Tounes, the party of the prime minister, Youssef Chahed, who had defected from Nidaa, this could give him an opening to take the presidency in November.
All this means Tunisia will be an interesting space to watch over the next few months.
About the Author
Sarah Yerkes
Senior Fellow, Middle East Program
Sarah Yerkes is a senior fellow in Carnegie’s Middle East Program, where her research focuses on Tunisia’s political, economic, and security developments as well as state-society relations in the Middle East and North Africa.
- Civil Society Restrictions in North Africa: The Impact on Climate-Focused Civil Society Organizations
- U.S. Peace Mediation in the Middle East: Lessons for the Gaza Peace PlanPaper
Amr Hamzawy, Sarah Yerkes, Kathryn Selfe
Recent Work
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- Civil Society Restrictions in North Africa: The Impact on Climate-Focused Civil Society OrganizationsArticle
For climate-focused civil society in countries like Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia to be most effective, organizations should work together to develop networks that extend their reach beyond their local area and connect across borders to share best practices and amplify each other’s work.
Sarah Yerkes
- When Football Is More Than FootballCommentary
The recent African Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco touched on issues that largely transcended the sport.
Issam Kayssi, Yasmine Zarhloule
- Russia in Africa: Examining Moscow’s Influence and Its LimitsResearch
As Moscow looks for opportunities to build inroads on the continent, governments in West and Southern Africa are identifying new ways to promote their goals—and facing new risks.
- +1
Nate Reynolds, ed., Frances Z. Brown, ed., Frederic Wehrey, ed., …
- Africa’s Democratic Kaleidoscope: Trends to Watch in 2026Article
Supporters of democracy within and outside the continent should track these four patterns in the coming year.
Saskia Brechenmacher, Frances Z. Brown
- Taking the Pulse: What Issue Is Europe Ignoring at Its Peril in 2026?Commentary
2026 has started in crisis, as the actions of unpredictable leaders shape an increasingly volatile global environment. To shift from crisis response to strategic foresight, what under-the-radar issues should the EU prepare for in the coming year?
Thomas de Waal
