At theappeal ofcivilsociety, massivedemonstra - Ennahdha adversariesin2013 remainunpunished. ien toTunisian mores.Two politicalassassinations of moreover coveredupbarbarous actsofviolence,al- gressive provisions into thefutureconstitution; it mobilised asablocinanattempt tointroducere- Constituent Assembly, whereits representatives 2013) andcausedconstanttensionintheNational transition governmentfortwoyears(2012and (89 parliamentaryseatsoutof217);itdominatedthe 2011 electionsraisedittotherankofleadingparty and overwhelmingelectoralvictories;theOctober vailed throughanamalgamofpopulism,violence For itspart,theEnnahdhapartydramaticallypre- solidate thedemocraticobjectiveofrevolution. sert themodernistvision,saveacquisandcon- for choice of society, with progressivesaimingtoas- nahdha’s intentionshavethustriggeredacrudebattle andexpressesitsaspirationtomodernity. En- question theprogressiveacquisthatdistinguishes democratic aspirationsand,moreover,callsinto issue fromanotherera.Suchaprojectcondemns its planstoestablishanIslamicState,hasraised The suddenriseofthe Islamist Ennahdha party, with democracy. Thiswastherevolution’sprimaryaim. was to essentially found the Welfare State andbuild to over twenty years of despotism and corruption Revolution oflibertyanddignity’ thathadputanend forces combined to create the conviction that ‘the Social revolt?Democraticrevolution?Atfirst,two that hasgrippedthecountrysinceDecember2010. fying thenatureofrevolutionaryphenomenon The longTunisian transitionhascontributedtoclari- Minister,former Tunisia Ambassador, ProfessorofInternationalRelationsand Ahmed Ounaïes Tunisia Building aDemocraticState: The Caseof Crisis andNewAgendaoftheArabStates believes inthe Islamicproject.Hence,the construc- admitted thatarespectable portion oftheelectorate there isnolongerroomfor doubt:itmustwellbe , andafterthe2014elections inTunisia itself, rise ofIslamicpartiesinthe region, fromMoroccoto After the it nearly a third of the seats (69 out of 217). dha in second place within the new Assembly, giving The October2014electionssimplyplacedEnnah- What wastheactualresponseofelectorate? shrines fundamentalfreedoms. course andendorsethenewConstitution,whichen- Ennahdha totonedownitsdemands, change itsdis- opportunistic ormarginalone?Thetest,atleast,led links withpoliticalviolence?Anephemeralforce? that, inaddition,failedthetestofpowerandhasmurky would representareligious,regressivepoliticalparty transition ofaparasiticinterference.Whatforce that Ennahdha’sdeclinewouldsinkitandrelievethe hope animated theprogressive electorate, convinced purpose totheRevolution.Throughout2014,this have marginalisedit,returningtheoriginalfocusand Ennahdha’s spirithadbeenbroken.Itsfallshould a democraticTunisia. 2014 Constitutionisadecisivestepontheroadto democratic andrepublicanconstitution.TheJanuary point, suddenlyconvertedtotheideaofaliberal, provisions ofthedraftconstitution,yieldedonevery MPs, whowereblockingaseriesoffundamental such aprecedent.Bythesametoken,Ennahdha its self-assurance: it began to consider the scope of dent MorsiinEgypt(3July2013)hadalreadybroken coming elections. Atthetime,oustingofPresi- ernment appointedpreciselytopreparetheforth- elections, torelinquishpoweranon-partisangov- tions, tothepointofforcingEnnahdha,justbefore reached thescaleofatrueblockadeinstitu- tions andinitiatives.InAugust2013,theprotests tions wereheldtoprotestagainstsaidparty’sac-

IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2015 31 Crisis and New Agenda of the Arab States Keys IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2015 32 Crisis and New Agenda of the Arab States Keys 2008, theGafsa miningregion,theninAugust 2010, Two socialpowderkegsexploded:firstinJanuary state services.TheStatehad beenhit. ministrations, municipalauthorities, andsecurity with thementiresectionsof the customsandtaxad- circles, werebesiegingthe entirecountry, taking state institutions. Mafia rings, taken up by Ben Ali shadow economy. Thesundrytrafficking undermined . Theinlandprovinceshadslippedintothe sociated withthecross-bordermarketsofLibyaand through delinquencyandtheparalleleconomyas- trafficking byasectorofyouthmakingitsway and oftenbesetbyidlenessdespairaswell nisia, deficient in infrastructures and basic services and social services are concentrated, and inland Tu- the bulkofeconomicactivity, urbaninfrastructure from theimbalancebetweencoastalTunisia, where the miseryinsuburbs;italsodrewitsstrength entele gravitatingaroundtheoustedPresidentand trast betweentheopulenceofrelativesandcli- .Itdrewitsstrengthfromthecon- The socialargumentwastheprimarycauseof Transition (2011-2014) Genesis andImperativesoftheDemocratic democratic ArabState. forces, the2ndRepublicisbettingonbuildinga the efforttosynergisecontradictoryyetevolving The historiccompromiseisinthemaking.Bytaking democratic discourseitadoptedoverayearearlier. including Ennahdha,whichispursuingthequasi- a coalitiongovernmentofthefourleadingparties, ning party, NidaaTounes formed (86of217seats), The day after the October 2014 elections, the win- thoritarianism, withitsgoodandbaddays. destined toremainunderthevagariesoftutelaryau- litical progress permitted in Arab societies, until now regression. Thisiscertainlythepathtoonlypo- to confrontationandinstability, butnotnecessarilyto an innovative,unprecedentedapproachvulnerable olutionary Tunisia’s socialandpoliticalrealitycallfor and Islamicidentity. Thesecomponentsofpost-rev- oncile socialdemands,thedemocraticimperative upon to control the destiny of Tunisia must now rec- religious frameofreference.Thenewordercalled mise’ withtheforcesprofessingallegianceto tion ofdemocracycannotforgoa‘historiccompro- my, legaldivorce,family planning,theelimination of instituted genderequality, theprohibitionofpolyga- ety andmindsets.Asof1956, aseriesofreforms nisia undertookin-depthreform thatchangedsoci- tional sovereignty. In the wake of independence, Tu- and theaspirationtofound a parliament,seatofna- (1881-1956) stimulatedthewillformodernisation first Tunisian Constitutionin1861.Thecolonial era genuine HumanRightsCharter – in 1857 andthe tion of slaves in 1846, the Fundamental Pact – a ing backtothemid-19thcenturywithemancipa- tradition ofreform,progressandmodernisation,dat- It alsodrewitsstrength from theTunisian society’s from thestruggleagainstBenAli’sdespoticregime. The democraticimperative drew its strength fundamental objectiveoftheSecondRepublic. ity oftheState.TheWelfare Stateconstitutesthe and some to university, is essentially the responsibil- of whomhavegonetoprimaryandsecondaryschool ployed peopleandasmanyprecariousworkers,all tion. Moreover,thefutureofnearlyamillionunem- constitutes aspecifictestforTunisian reconstruc- heterogeneous electoraldistricts.Thisdichotomy hand, andthenortheastonother,comprise social divide:thesouthandwestonone the transitionphasein2014revealedmorethana The legislativeandpresidentialelectionsthatclosed misery inthesuburbs around theoustedPresidentand relatives andclientelegravitating between theopulenceof drew itsstrengthfromthecontrast cause oftheTunisian revolution.It The socialargumentwastheprimary also wherevoterturnouthasbeenthelowest. Republic hascontinuedtoFebruary2015.Thisis ments andwiththefirstgovernmentofSecond popular discontentwithallthetransitiongovern- that theDecember2010revoltbrokeout,andwhere Estate wasnolongerafraid;itintheseareas that wouldleadtotheregime’soverthrow. TheThird pression werebutthepreludetodramaticevents violence andthesubsequentpolicelegalre- Ben Guerdane,ontheborderwithLibya.Popular cratic opposition,numbering three,andtheactive deeming Islamicproject?The partiesofthedemo- silence. Besides,whowouldhavebelievedinare- ed thispoliticalcircleobligedtomaintaincomplete deigned toinvitethemitsmeetings;theyattend- only one– theProgressiveDemocraticParty condemned tosilence.Amongoppositionparties, parently entertainedsuchahope,buttheywere Was thereanotheralternative?Islamistleadersap- solution toallthecountry’sills. ranks oftheopposition,democracyrepresented mended bythemainWestern partners.Amongthe throughout thecountryand,attime,recom- mands forpoliticalopennesswereexpressed demand fordemocracy. Increasinglyurgentde- These ailmentsandtheirveryexcessmaturedthe for afifthterm,attestedtosuicidalblindness. less thanayearafterhisre-electioninOctober2009 through amediacampaignbeginninginJuly2010, The perspectiveofasixthpresidentialterm,launched were carriedtogrotesqueextremesunderBenAli. these ordinary shortcomings of despotic regimes fraud, statepredation,thecensorshipofmedia… powers, the all-powerfulness of the police, electoral freedoms. Quitetothecontrary, theconcentrationof tion allowing democracy andtheentrenchmentof not accompaniedbymeasuresofpolitical liberalisa- nomic liberalisationeffectedinthemid-1990swere global developmentpolicyasof1962andtheeco- Nonetheless, theprogressmadethankstoplanned back tothemid-19thcentury progress andmodernisation,dating society’s traditionofreform, its strengthfromtheTunisian The democraticimperativealsodrew state secularisation. vidual autonomyandinitiatedtheimpetustowards end tothepatriarchalfamily, instilledasenseofindi- school tohighereducation.Thesereformsputan in twolanguages,ArabicandFrench,fromprimary tribal continuityandthegeneralisationofschooling 1 2014, revealedadeath tollof61and173injured,inaddition to50casualtiesamongterrorist ranks. in Arabicpublished inTunis inApril2012, the totalnumberofvictimswas338 casualtiesand2,147injured.Theadditional assessment,uptoJuly establish the events relative to abuse and violations registered during the period from 17 December 2010 to the end of its mandate,” a document TheTunisian Accordingtothe“ReportofNational Commission to Revolutionofficiallycausedlessthan3,000victims (injuriesordeaths). during the Revolution. the thirdonarmedviolenceanddamagesregistered reform, anotheroncorruptionandembezzlement, tional Commissionswerecreated–oneforpolitical ber ofDeputiesweredissolved.Andfinally, threeNa- thepolitical policeandtheCham- tional Rally–RCD), same time,thedominantparty(DemocraticConstitu- subsidy for young unemployed degree-holders. At the via some thirty court cases – and the institution of a against theLTDH –whichwasthenbeingharassed iles, whobeganretuningenmasse,liftingoflawsuits ognition ofnewparties,issuancepassportstoex- ship, legalisationof pending political parties andrec- prisoners, liftingofmediaandsocialnetworkcensor- hastened toimprovetheclimate:releaseofpolitical ment thattookchargeofthecountry’sadministration arena on14January2011,thenationalunitygovern- As soonasBenAlidisappearedfromthepolitical government initsnegotiations its handvis-a-vistheAKP those opportunitiesandstrengthen eagerness inthePKKtoexploit developments inSyriatriggeredan the post-Arabuprising The newopportunitiespresentedby try’s destinyandplannedits future.TheTunisian de- society asserteditself:one that assumedthecoun- contended atthetime. brutality. Thedemocraticalternativeseemedun- all-powerful politicalpolice,aninstitutionofepic nominiously persecutedattheleastpretextby choice, butinprinciple,andbecausetheywereig- defended bydemocrats,notfortheirpolitical regime inpower.Islamistactivistswere,however, the Islamicmovementwasrejectedasmuch cruited fromuniversitiesandtheliberalprofessions, cles of human rights activists, who were mainly re- fiercely hostiletotheIslamicproject.Inbroadercir- ciation ofDemocraticWomen (ATDF) –were man RightsLeague(LTDH) andtheTunisian Asso- civil societyinstitutions–namelytheTunisian Hu- 1 In a matter of weeks, a new In a matter of weeks, a new

IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2015 33 Crisis and New Agenda of the Arab States Keys IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2015 34 Crisis and New Agenda of the Arab States Keys balance ofpowers andbalanceamongthe regions. only anewconstitutionwould allowanimproved sequence of excessivegovernmentcentralisation: alisation of inland regions was understood as a con- abolition symbolisedanew start. Finally, themargin- the constitution in effect was rejected outright: its lised, disempoweredandinfantilisedthecitizenry; an authoritarianismandpaternalismthatdemobi- pressed the willtodoawaywithasystemmarkedby tions for the Constituent Assembly. The process ex- 28 February, hadthemandateoforganising elec- The followingadministration,takingofficeon that prevailed. constituent assembly. Itwasthis radicalapproach abolition of theConstitution and theelection of a a strongstreetprotestmovement,demandedthe parties andthenationaltradeunion,which,through plan wasimmediatelyrejectedbycertainpolitical elections on thenewbasiswithin six months.This 1959) andorganisinglegislativepresidential advocated amending the Constitution (of 1 June A RadicalChange.Thenationalunitygovernment and televisionchannels forums flourishedonradiostations persuasions multiplied;debate society organisationsofall Political parties,mediaandcivil analysing andquestioningitself. The societywasdiscovering, ciety asliberalanddemocratic. debates contributedtoassertingthechoiceofso- achieved apluralistbreakthrough.Freeandplural qualifying andcategorisingthem.Tunisia had spectrum, itsconvergencesanddivergences, vey agenciesappeared,measuringthepolitical new faces.Forthefirsttime,opinionpollsandsur- extended togreyareas;interviewsbeganreveal television channels;image-supportedfieldsurveys bate forumsflourishedonradiostationsand ety organisationsofallpersuasionsmultiplied;de- tioning itself. Political parties, media and civil soci- The societywasdiscovering,analysingandques- freedom andhope. mocracy began taking shape at this stage, drunk with in ageneralagreement acceptedbyall. Thenew cess opentoparticipation by everyone.Itresulted and asearchforexcellence, inanendogenouspro- foundations ofaneworder basedonconsensus lent vicissitudeswithoutceasing todevelopthe interference from the military, it experienced turbu - ties inherenttothedemocraticoption.Farfromany The Tunisian transitiondodgednoneofthe difficul- The Second Republic(2015) Outline oftheTunisian Democracy: received 6,500claimsinthreemonths. began operatingon10December2014,statedit 1955 toDecember2013.TheCommission, which rious humanrightsviolations committed fromJuly Dignity Commissionentrustedwithinvestigatingse- cember 2013itcreatedanindependentTruth and retained theprincipleoftransitionaljustice;inDe- Insofar asthesubstance,ConstituentAssembly ple ofnon-exclusionprevailed. was likewisediscarded.Thenceforth,onlytheprinci- tions, supportedbyvariouspartiesintheAssembly, limiting the age of candidates for presidential elec- sembly buteventuallydiscarded.Theprincipleof years was discussed in2014 by theConstituent As- ity ofmaintainingthissanctionforthedurationfive ed theplanforasixthpresidentialterm.Thepossibil- party leadershipandthosehavingpubliclysupport- fecting 3,000formergovernmentofficials,theRCD was adoptedforthe23October2011elections,af- should belefttothevoter.Theexclusionprovision of debate,insofaraswhethertheultimatechoice principle ofexclusionthusposedbecametheobject in theelectionsforConstituentAssembly. The ing orrunningofmemberstheformerrulingparty as. Voices were raised, however, to contest the vot- tiveness oftheactorsandfreeexchangeide- construction basedonparticipation,therepresenta- the socialandpoliticalordershouldbeacollective Commission, theprinciplewaswidelyacceptedthat The PrincipleofExclusion.InthePolitical Reform of theRevolution. State andthe citizenschangedradicallyinwake the normsofpast.Therespectiveroles and theartsworldexpressedwilltobreakwith On the social order, various demonstrations by youth ity, theyarecasesof simplenegationoftheprinciple neously referredtoasreligious prescriptions;inreal- wearing a veilandrestrictionstofreedom are erro - flagrant caseinpoint.Constraint inmarriage(jabr), by Arabsociety, thestatusofwomenbeingmost the principle of equality, a principle hardly accepted 2. TheStatusofWomenfallswithinthelogic der comesatthisprice. threat ofarbitrarypower.Thechangepoliticalor- sense ofsafety, createconfidence andeliminatethe conjunction of institutions and freedoms that lend a indivisible: thedemocraticorderisawhole.It the media,andresponsibilityofcivilsocietyare system, thecoherenceofInstitutions,freedom check arbitrariness.Theindependenceofthejustice that structure the collective defence of freedom and tions forming the architecture of society, institutions legislation, butextendstotheensembleofinstitu- volve therightsenshrinedinConstitutionor The conquestofindividualsecuritydoesnotonlyin- of freedomandcheckarbitrariness that structurethecollectivedefence architecture ofsociety, institutions ensemble ofinstitutionsformingthe legislation, butextendstothe enshrined intheConstitutionor does notonlyinvolvetherights The conquestofindividualsecurity assassination werethegovernment’smeans. person. Until the 21st century, prison, torture and rights upheld,ordefendtheirhonour,propertyand powerless tomaketheirvoicesheard,have uals atdifferenttimes,whowererenderednearly There were sudden attacks against different individ- power waswieldedthroughintimidationandterror. tion, no-onewassafefromarbitrarinessinTunisia: with thesecurityofindividual.BeforeRevolu- 1. Individual Security. Political progress begins this stage: regime? Sevenmajorprinciplescanbeobservedat What principlesandinstitutionsdistinguishthenew targeted bytheterroristringsassailingregion. even ifitremainseconomicallyfragileandspecially regime istheoutcomeofaconsensualapproach, codes and overcame self-censorship: in Cairo, vitality. Therevoltsdidawaywithtaboos,broke and socialarenas,breaking out withunprecedented Revolution, ithaswonover the political,tradeunion and developsthecultureof relativity. Thankstothe Pluralism posits the principle of freedom of choice even thedeathsentence. faith exposeonetoostracism,exile,andattimes other beliefsinthespheresofaction,thoughtand social codes.Doubting,breakingwithorasserting spiritual aspectsoflifeandensurecompliancewith ion: theseauthoritiesrestrictsocial, political and familias, thehegemonicparty, thehistorictradeun- Thepater the father,imamandza‘im(leader). the Arab mindset. It is rooted in the ascendancy of 4. Pluralism.Thecategoryofuniquenessimbues freedom ofthemajorityArabsubjects. reservations, expressed67yearsago,stilllimitthe These freedom tochangeone’sreligion(Art.18). one associatingthefreedomofconscience with andthe due torace,nationalityorreligion(Art.16), the onestatingrighttomarrywithnolimitations expressed reservationspertainingtotwoarticles: laration ofHumanRights,theSaudiArabiandelegate garding thedefinitiveadoptionofUniversalDec- eral Assemblydebateon10December1948re- Recall asignificantfact:attheUnitedNationsGen- rule oflaw” (Art.2). based on civic rights, the will of the people and the rights. The State itself declares that it is “a civil State, lations withtheStatearebasedexclusivelyoncivic Thisacquis isfundamental:re- Constitution (Art.6). Now freedomofconscienceisenshrinedinthe tioned incertaincountriesbycapitalpunishment. give upallreligion.Apostasy, unthinkable,issanc- ciple offersMuslimstherighttochangereligionsor plicitly rejectedinArabsocietiesinsofarasthisprin- to thefreedomofindividual,itisimplicitlyorex- 3. FreedomofConscience.Although it is inherent dicative ofaphilosophicalprogression. gender equality. Theemancipationofwomenisin- constitute a genuine guarantee of progress towards Thedynamicsofthesystem’sevolution (Art. 46). September 2011,thenenshrinedintheConstitution gender parityonelectorallistswasintroducedin in 1968,haveendured.ThankstotheRevolution, 1956, andcoeducationatschools,institutionalised sia, theequalstatusofwomen,passedintolawin of equality, whichdoesnotgoagainstIslam.InTuni-

IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2015 35 Crisis and New Agenda of the Arab States Keys IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2015 36 Crisis and New Agenda of the Arab States Keys order, indecision enduresregardingtheprinciple of 7. ThePrincipleofPower. IntheArabpolitical — — — tions can be summed upinthree essential demands: economy. Thusperceived,theright offuturegenera- of the aptitude to productively contribute to the and aid,necessarilytemporary, buttheimprovement wellbeing. Whatallofthisimpliesisnotsubsidies benefit fromitseffectsintermsofemploymentand the growthdynamic,anditshouldalsoensurethey lowing allsectorsofthepopulationtoparticipatein ed that the growth pattern should be inclusive, al- 6. TheRightofFutureGenerations.Itisaccept- tion ofgovernanceandbolstersindividualsecurity. and factsensurestransparency, providesanindica- dation oftherulelaw, since thepluralityofideas lective defenceoffreedomandfocusesonthefoun- deeper level,theemancipatedpressrelayscol- as aformofexpressionhasenteredthemedia.On victory of theTunisia of 2011. Thesatirical cartoon formation networksintheworldconstitutefirst on social and political events and to connect to in- right toexpressone’sopinionwithcompleteliberty sion andinformation,theliftingofcensorship, 5. tion’s affairs. ticipation ofthoseholdingsuchbeliefsinthena- sophical beliefsandtheequallegitimatepar- accepts pluralityinpolitical,religiousandphilo- trade unionandexistentialchoices.Afreesociety no lessthecitizenforit.Thesameistrueofpolitical, are demandingfreedomofconscience;andthey scathing. Citizensbroughtupinthefamilyreligion on asinglelifestylesubsists.Theoffensivehas been defy resistanceinsociety, whereamindsetfixated daytime inthemiddleofRamadan.Theserebellions claimed therighttoeatanddrinkinpublic and Algeria,the‘dé-jeûneurs’ ornon-fasterspro- garding theappropriationofherbody;inMorocco semi-nude photographofherself,asamessagere- , theFemenactivistAminaSbouiposteda Aliaa MagdaEl-MahdyposednudeonFacebook;in Freedom ofthePress.Thefreedomexpres- nomic, socialandenvironmental balance. Sustainable development guaranteeing eco- onomic development; A healthyenvironment,thebasisforallsocioec- future; A high-quality, moderneducation opentothe the civilisation ofourtimes. and catchinguponmuchof thetimelostvis-à-vis mocracy, itisacceleratingitspacetomodernisation forward-looking natureasa nation.Byenteringde- Tunisia hasonce againdemonstrateditsmature, Supreme JudicialCounciland thelocalauthorities. the establishmentofConstitutional Court, the It must yet see to his government (5 February 2015). (31 December) and Prime Minister and and theinvestituresofPresidentBejiCaidEssebsi the RepresentativesofPeople(4December) the inaugurationofthenewAssembly ary 2014), after thepromulgationofConstitution(27Janu- The SecondRepublicenteredintoeffectin2015, of theState. These innovationsrepresentagenuinerestructuring courts, theregionalcourtsanddistrictcourts. levels ofelectedcouncilsorcourts:themunicipal And finally, thelocaljudiciaryiscomprisedofthree and thenon-interferenceofexecutivebranch. respectively, arebasedontheprinciplesofelection gle againstcorruptionandsustainabledevelopment, elections, communication,humanrights,thestrug- independent constitutionalauthoritiesdealingwith interference. TheHighJudicialCouncilandthefive nation isprotectedagainsttheexecutivebranch’s of thejudiciarybranch,whereajudge’sfreedetermi- terference bytheexecutivebranch.Thesameistrue independent collegial institutions, free from any in- where citizensexercisefreechoiceareentrustedto state organisms;andontheotherhand,spheres the onehand,electorallegitimacyisassertedinall tion oftheexecutivebranchanddecentralisation.On institutional balance:electoralrestructuring,limita- The Institutions.Threeinnovationsdistinguishthe people demand!” (Ash-shaabyurid!) word ofthe2011Revolutionwas,afterall,“the ple intheirevolvinghistoricexperience.Thewatch- an immanencereflectingtheaspirationsofpeo- of legitimacy. Transcendence hasbeenreplacedby through theassertionofpopularwillassource The 2011Revolutiondealtthedecisiveblow the extensionoflegislationbasedonpositivelaw. ingly limitedbyrecoursetopopularsuffrageand power, theabsolutismofSharialawbeingincreas- has raisedthepeopletorankofregulators of countriesoverthecourse20thcentury gitimacy. The evolution experienced in the majority the legitimacyofpower:divineversuspopularle-