Beyond Ghannouchi. Islamism and Social Change in Tunisia

TY - JOUR

T1 - Beyond Ghannouchi. Islamism and Social Change in Tunisia

AU - Haugbølle, Rikke Hostrup

AU - Cavatorta, Francesco

PY - 2012/3/15

Y1 - 2012/3/15

N2 - Tunisians were called to the polls in free and transparent elections on October 23, 2011 for the first time since independence in 1956. They were to choose 217 members of a Constituent Assembly that for a year would play a double role: drafting a new constitution and governing the country. For many Tunisians, as well as foreigners, the results were something of a surprise. First, the turnout was lower than expected, hovering just over 53 percent, despite serious efforts by the Electoral Commission to get out the vote. Many ordinary Tunisians, it appears, are skeptical of the political transformation in the country since the ouster of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Throughout the campaign, Ennahda maintained it would seek a broad alliance with other political forces to signal Tunisians that partisanship would be put aside. It was the job of all political groups, symbolizing a unified nation, to draft the constitution and usher in the new era, said Ennahda figures. On December 22 the new government was approved.

AB - Tunisians were called to the polls in free and transparent elections on October 23, 2011 for the first time since independence in 1956. They were to choose 217 members of a Constituent Assembly that for a year would play a double role: drafting a new constitution and governing the country. For many Tunisians, as well as foreigners, the results were something of a surprise. First, the turnout was lower than expected, hovering just over 53 percent, despite serious efforts by the Electoral Commission to get out the vote. Many ordinary Tunisians, it appears, are skeptical of the political transformation in the country since the ouster of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Throughout the campaign, Ennahda maintained it would seek a broad alliance with other political forces to signal Tunisians that partisanship would be put aside. It was the job of all political groups, symbolizing a unified nation, to draft the constitution and usher in the new era, said Ennahda figures. On December 22 the new government was approved.

KW - Faculty of Humanities

KW - Tunisia

KW - Ennahda

KW - elections

KW - Islam

M3 - Journal article

SN - 1485-1547

VL - 262

SP - 20

EP - 25

JO - Middle East Report

JF - Middle East Report

IS - Spring 2012

ER -