Toward a New Era in Tunisian Politics: 2014 Parliamentary Elections

ORSAM REVIEW OF REGIONAL AFFAIRS

No.14, OCTOBER 2014

Toward a New Era IN Tunisian Politics: 2014 Parliamentary Elections

Nebahat Tanrıverdi YAŞAR

Nebahat Tanrıverdi Yaşar is an assistant researcher at ORSAM since 2010. She This fall Tunisians will go to the polls for parliamentary and has been focusing on Egypt, Libya presidential elections which will end the three-year transition and Tunisia, in particular Arab Spring and transformation processes. She period. Tunisia will take an important step forward in the de- completed his undergraduate degree mocratization process with these elections. This study covers in international relations at Hacettepe observations and analysis on the new political map in Tuni- University and her master’s degree in The Middle East Studies at Middle sia which will emerge after parliamentary elections. In this East Technical University. Her master’s context, firstly the electoral system and procedures adopted thesis was entitled “Reconsidering for the 2014 parliamentary elections will be explained. Then, Durability of Authoritarian Regime and Possibilities of Democratization parties and coalitions which are expected to achieve consid- in Tunisia”. She is currently a doctoral erable success as well as experience a large loss compared to student at the International Relations Department of the Middle East Technical the previous election will be examined. Finally, expectations University. and assessments will be discussed. Toward a New Era in Tunisian Politics: 2014 Parliamentary Elections

ince 2011, Tunisia is un- structural reforms in the econo- dergoing a transforma- my and state institutions in the Stion process, which was coming period. triggered by the street demon- strations. The second parlia- Electoral System and mentary elections that will take Regulations place since Ben Ali’s removal, namely the 2014 Parliamentary In Tunisia, approval of the Elections in Tunisia represents draft constitution on 27 Janu- an important political thresh- ary 2014 by National Constit- old in terms of consolidation uent Assembly (NCA) paved of democratic procedures as the way for parliamentary elec- political norms. Elections in tions agreed to be held within 2011 launched the transitional 2014. NCA approved the new period to ensure the new polit- electoral law by a vote of 132 ical order in the country. 2014 to 11 on 29 April 2014.1 On 23 parliamentary elections will June 2014, National Consti- end this transitional period and tutional Assembly decided to an important step towards the hold presidential elections on normalization of the new sys- 23 November 2014 and parlia- tem will be taken. Also Tunisia mentary elections on 26 Octo- will take a vital step forward in ber 2014.2 the democratization process by performing these elections. The new parliament, government and president will encounter many challenges on the way of democratization. The most important challenge is to resolve economic, social and political conflicts without falling in the trap of political polarization in order to secure Tunisians com- mitment to democratization. Furthermore, Tunisian politi- cians have to implement deep 2 ORSAM REVIEW OF REGIONAL AFFAIRS No.14, OCTOBER 2014

The electoral law stipulates from 27 electoral districts in the system and regulations of Tunisia and 18 deputies from upcoming parliamentary and 6 electoral districts abroad. 21 presidential elections in the governorates will serve as one country. The electoral law ad- district while the rest, namely opted a party-list proportional Nabeul, Sfax, and Tunis, di- representation for parliamen- vided into two electoral dis- tary elections to be held on tricts. The electoral districts in The second 26 October 2014. 3 This sys- abroad consists of France (2), tem and regulations to be fol- Germany, Italy, North Ameri- parliamentary lowed in this election to elect ca and rest of the Europe, and elections that 214-member parliament is very Arab world. will take place closely similar to the system As in the 2011 parliamenta- since Ben used to elect NCA members in ry elections, Hare Quota (Sim- Ali’s removal, 4 2011. Voting process will take ple quota) system will be im- namely the 2014 place in one round, and each plemented again. 7 “The highest Parliamentary voter will chose a single list. remaining (largest remainder) Elections The campaign period for par- method” will be applied for in Tunisia liamentary elections officially fractional remainders. Hare represents began on 4 October 2014 and Quota System with largest an important this period will end on 24 Octo- remainder prevents well-per- political ber 2014. Voting process within formed party from gaining the country will be taking place threshold extra seats, though sustains ad- in terms of on 26 October and abroad on vantages to small parties and consolidation 24-26 October 2014. ISIE, Tu- independent candidates; and nisian electoral commission is increases the numbers of dif- of democratic obligated to announce prelim- ferent parties, coalitions and procedures as inary results until 30 October independents in the parliament. political norms. 2014 and official results until This system paved the way for 5 24 November 2014. the representation of several Voting process will take small parties in the 2011 elec- place in 33 electoral districts-27 tions, but also prevented Nah- in Tunisia and 6 for Tunisians da, which collected the highest living abroad- in total. 6 Tuni- percentage of votes, to form a sians will elect 199 deputies government alone. 3 Toward a New Era in Tunisian Politics: 2014 Parliamentary Elections

In the parliamentary elec- liamentary elections across the tions, a total of 15,652 can- country. 11 didates will compete for 217 seats across the country. 8 The Outstanding Parties and electoral lists of nation-wide Coalitions parties, local-scale parties, coalition of smaller parties and Before examining the predic- independent candidates has tions on October 2014 Parli- reached 1,218. 9 However, a amentary Elections, this part significant portion of the elec- evaluates the political parties toral lists belongs to small and and coalitions that might have / or local scale parties and inde- relative success or rapid failu- pendent candidates. Especially, res by considering their politi- it is noteworthy that the num- cal histories, advantages/disad- ber of independents increases vantages and electoral lists. in economically less developed provinces of southern and cen- Nahda - Renaissance tral Tunisia, where the 2011 Party uprisings emerged. 10 349 lists of independent candidates, 729 In the new political era, begin- party lists and 140 coalition ning with the end of Ben Ali’s lists will participate to the par- rule, Nahda, which has been 4 ORSAM REVIEW OF REGIONAL AFFAIRS No.14, OCTOBER 2014 the most widely spoken and in 1989 elections.14 This elec- discussed political actor, is the toral success made Nahda party most organized party with its the largest opposition bloc. expanded and well-structured However, numerous members party organization. The party of Nahda were arrested and originated from the Quranic its leader Rashid Ghannouchi Preservation Society which ai- went to exile following the ele- med to adopt the Arab and Tu- ctoral success.15 Ghannouchi nisian identity and financed by continued political activities in the state in 1970s. 12 The party’s London and returned to Tunisia founder Rashid Ghannouchi on 30 January 2011. Although and Abdulfattah Mouru began Nahda Party emerged to spre- their political carriers in Qura- ad an Islamic way of life at the Nahda gives a nic Preservation Society, which beginning, today it stands on clear message provided them with the ability “Western-style conservative that it does to appeal to a wide audience party” line. not want to and thus an important social In 2011 elections, Nahda occupy all the base in a very short time. In won 89 seats in NCA by taking political posts 1978, Quranic Preservation So- 54.3% of the total votes across and is open to ciety was transformed into the the country.16 Despite the fact negotiation. Islamic Tendency Movement. that Nahda was the winner of 13 With the short-term relative the election, the party could not liberalization following the re- reached the quorum to form a moval of Bourguiba by Zine El government alone, so Nahda Abidine Ben Ali with a “blood- formed a coalition with the less coup” in 1978; the Islamic center-left party ,Republican Tendency Movement formed Congress Party (CPR) and left Nahda Party, but could not be party Ettakatol. The troika co- accepted legally by the Tunisi- alition formed two coalition an authorities until 2011. The governments, one headed by Islamic Tendency Movement, former Prime Ministers Ha- which participated in the elec- madi Jebali and one by Ali tions with independent candi- Laarayedh between December dates, received %30 of votes 2011 and January 2014. These in Tunis, Gabes and Souse as coalition governments had well as %14.6 of general votes 5 Toward a New Era in Tunisian Politics: 2014 Parliamentary Elections

confronted a set of challenges It can operate in all electoral from security to political crisis districts. Unlike many other and transferred powers to the parties in Tunisia, Nahda is not government of technocrats in suffering from intra-party ri- accordance with the road map valries, conflicts and fragmen- on January 2014. tation. Nahda, standing on the fo- Electoral lists of Nahda in cus of the praise and criticism 13 electoral districts are head- during the last three years, will ed by former deputies. All elec- run each of electoral districts. toral lists contain 10 former Nahda is one of the rare parties ministers, 6 businessmen, 11 in Tunisia which has the ability lawyers and 6 physicists. In ad- to organize across the country dition, Nahda became the party with its institutional capacity. which gave the most seats in 6 ORSAM REVIEW OF REGIONAL AFFAIRS No.14, OCTOBER 2014 electoral lists in Tunisia. In- Nidaa Tounes- Call of cluding well-known figures in Tunisia electoral lists is Nahda’s one of Nidaa Tounes is a secular na- the most important advantages tionalist party which was es- in this election. Nominating tablished following the 2011 businessmen in economically elections, and legally recogni- less developed southern and zed on July 2012. 20 The party central provinces supports par- is expected to win a significant ty’s economic objectives and share of votes in 2014 parlia- policies discoursed in its elec- mentary elections. It was es- toral propaganda. 17 tablished by Beji Caid Essebsi, On the other hand, Nahda former interim Prime Minister announced that it will not nom- in 2011 and a significant politi- Nidaa Tounes has inate a candidate in Novem- cal figure who had served both been criticized ber 2014 presidential election. during Bourgiba and Ben Ali to revive former Hence, Nahda gives a clear eras in order to counterweight regime by message that it does not want to the political force of Nahda. introducing RCD to occupy all the political posts Nidaa Tounes brought together members to and is open to negotiation. In several political figures from Tunisian political this context, Nahda pays all different political positions. life again. its attention on parliamentary Following the legal recog- elections by withdrawing from nition on July 2012, the party the presidential race. gained its first deputy in NCA Nahda has fallen behind via transferring a deputy from Nidaa Tounes in opinion polls. Aridha Chaabia.21 Until the fall According to polls conducted of 2012, several deputies from by IRI, Nahda’s potential vote leftist parties in NCA, includ- rate is around 13%, while Con- ing troika partners CPR and Et- ceil Sigma’s polling shows that takatol, joined to Nidaa Tounes. 18 it is around 24%. However, Nidaa Tounes’s deputy num- considering high rates of un- bers reached 11 on November decided voters in Tunisia, there 2012.22 On December 2012, the are high expectations that final party got involved in constitu- electoral results would exceed tion writing process and NCA 19 the polling results. by joining Modern Democratic 7 Toward a New Era in Tunisian Politics: 2014 Parliamentary Elections

Bloc. However, deputy number stitution which was structured of the party dropped 6 due to parallel to the state apparatus. disagreements within the party Thus, the return of RCD mem- in the summer of 2014.23 bers to Tunisian political life The most prominent and under the umbrella of Nidaa criticized component of the Tounes provides advantages in party is the political figures terms of institutional capacity. from former ruling party RCD. However, Nidaa Tounes has On 2011, members of RCD been criticized to revive former were banned to run in elections regime by introducing RCD for 10 years and were prevent- members to Tunisian political ed from attending in 2011 elec- life again. tions. However, this political Another component of the ban was criticized in NCA and party is the inclusion of im- was accused of aiming a witch portant and well-known figures hunt. Due to the deepening po- and movements from left-wing litical crisis, troika government politics. Mohsen Marzouq and loosened the political ban in Bujima Remili, leading figures 2013 and paved the way for from left-wing politics, were members of RCD to return to among the founding mem- Tunisian political life.24 RCD, bers of the party. Also, Nidaa rooted from the founding party Tounes consists of prominent neo-Destor, was one of the most names from UGTT, one of the organized and experienced in- country’s most rooted move- 8 ORSAM REVIEW OF REGIONAL AFFAIRS No.14, OCTOBER 2014 ments in Tunisian history. In parties of the alliance are the addition to UGTT, the party left-wing parties that achieved brought together significant to gain membership in the par- figures from several civil so- liament in 2011 elections. The ciety organizations and youth numbers of the deputies are 3 movements under its roof. The from PCOT, 2 from MDS, 1 party also aims to gain support from Progressive Struggle Mo- of the private sector in Tunisia vement.27 Chokri Belayid and by including head of Center of Mohammed Brahmi, the vic- Young Business Leaders of Tu- tims of political assassinations nisia (CJD). The party current- that triggered a set of political ly has received the top rank in crisis, were the members of the The most opinion polls by polling ahead Popular Front. Popular Front prominent issue of Nahda. According to polls had played a distinctive role in in the election conducted by IRI, vote rate of the national reconciliation ne- campaign of the Nidaa Tounes is 24%; and ac- gotiations for the road map.28 cording to Sigma Conceil, it is In this process, they were per- Popular Front around 41.3%. sistent with their demands and is their popular thus they gained popularity economic among the Tunisians due to policies which Popular Front their appearance in Tunisian promotes more Popular Front was established media. active role for in August 2012 along with Popular Front participates in the state. small leftist parties with the the elections with the elector- leadership of Hamma Ham- al lists of the member parties. mami, the leader of the Tuni- The candidate of the Alliance sia Communist Workers Party in Sidi Bouzid, the hometown (PCOT), as a third block aga- of 2011 uprisings, is Mbarka inst Nahda and Nidaa Tounes.25 Belayid, the widow of Chokri Some of the founding parties Belayid.29 In other provinces, in this alliance can be listed the leaders of the member par- as; PCOT, The Movement of ties of the alliance are at the top Socialist Democrats (MDS), of the electoral lists. The most Baathist Movement, Tunisia prominent issue in the election Green Party and Progressive campaign of the Popular Front Struggle Party.26 The founding 9 Toward a New Era in Tunisian Politics: 2014 Parliamentary Elections

is their popular economic poli- 1994, splitted from the MDS cies which promotes more ac- and established the Ettakatol.30 tive role for the state. The party was legally recogni- The total vote rate of the zed in 2002. Ettakatol constitu- alliance parties is about 1% in ted the legal opposition in Bin 2011 elections. However, in Ali era along with the Progres- 2014 elections this rate is like- sive Democratic Party. ly to increase. According to Ettakatol succeeded to gain the poll conducted by IRI, the 20 seats in parliament in 2011 probable vote rate of the alli- election with the 9% of the ance is around 4-5%. Thus, the votes. The Party is one of the alliance seems to be the third coalition members of the troi- party after the Nidaa Tounes ka governments. Additionally, and Nahda. Mustapha Ben Jafar served as the Speaker of the Assembly. The Party was criticized hardly Ettakatol- Democratic since its participation in the co- Forum for Labour and alition government with Nah- Liberties da. Due to the criticisms both Mustapha Ben Jafar, the foun- from inside and outside of the der and Secretary-general of party, many figures resigned Ettakatol, is a prominent hu- from the party. In November man rigths activist. He was 2012, some deputies resigned involved in the political life in from Ettakatol and joined to MDS in 1978 and on 9 April Nidaa Tounes.31 Till to the 10 ORSAM REVIEW OF REGIONAL AFFAIRS No.14, OCTOBER 2014

2014, 10 deputies resigned uties with the rate of 12.3% and from the party.32 became the second party.33 CPR Ettakatol will join the elec- is one of the members of the tions in all the electoral dis- troika governments. The party tricts. In important districts, was subject to many criticisms ministers who served in troika both from inside and outside the 34 government and senior execu- party as Ettakatol. Since 2011 tives are at the top of the lists. elections, 17 member deputies 35 The public polls indicate that resigned from the party. CPR all member parties of troika is the coalition member which government counter a decrease suffers from the fragmentation at the highest level. Marzouki’s in their vote rates compared to Marzouki’s the 2011 election. The prob- resignation after being elected resignation after able vote rate of Ettakatol is as the president caused a deep declined to 3-4% according to leadership crisis in the party being elected the IRI. and the issue is still on the ta- as the president ble.36 Since the leadership issue caused a deep has not been resolved, CPR is leadership crisis Congress for the Republic campaigned under the auspices in the party and (CPR) of Marzouki’s personal charis- the issue is still Congress for the Republic ma for parliamentary election. on the table. (CPR) was founded in 2001 CPR uses the same slogans and by Moncef Marzouki who is symbols which were used in a prominent opposition figure 2011 election. However, a sig- during Ben Ali era. Party held nificant decrease is observed its first party congress on 24- in the popularity of the RCD. 26 June 2011 in Kairun and According to the public opin- was legally recognized. CPR ion polls conducted by IRI, the is a center-left party who defi- probable vote rate will fall to nes Arab and Muslim values as the 1-2%. components of Tunisian identity and promotes a liberal eco- Assessing Tunisian nomic system. Parliamentary Election In 2011 parliamentary elec- 2014 parliamentary elections tions, the party gained 29 dep- will set up the new political 11 Toward a New Era in Tunisian Politics: 2014 Parliamentary Elections

map of Tunisia. By considering eliminated due to this politi- the pre-election political situ- cal polarization. In addition, ation, the public polls and po- due to the electoral system, litical dynamics; it is possible it seems to be difficult for a to make the following assess- single party to take majority ments about the election: of parliament and form the The main struggle in the government alone. There- election is most likely to fore, the smaller parties and happen between two op- independent candidates will posing poles, namely Nah- likely to continue playing a da and Nidaa Tounes. Al- key role in post-election ne- though escalating political gotiations to form coalition. polarization was resolved 2014 Parliamentary Elec- by consensus, the danger tion has been shaded by of polarization has not yet November 2014. Except been eliminated totally. This Nahda and other small scale situation may push voter to parties, all parties and coa- concentrate on these two litions pay their attention to parties. Indeed, public opin- Presidential Elections. Nah- ion polls-despite their reli- da decided not to run can- abilities under question due didate in presidency, thus, to great differences among puts all its efforts on par- them- indicates intense con- liamentary elections. This centration on these two par- situation provides initial ad- ties vantages for Nahda. Despite the possible con- Despite the increase in the centration on the two main vote rates of Nahda in pub- parties, the electoral system lic polls, there is a high po- that adopted Hare quota tential for Nahda to exceed system will ensure several this polling results due to parties’ representation in its policies on consensus, the parliament, as happened its organizational capacity, in 2011 election. Thus, party cohesion, and well- small parties and indepen- known candidates in elec- dent candidates will not be toral lists. 12 ORSAM REVIEW OF REGIONAL AFFAIRS No.14, OCTOBER 2014

Nidaa Tounes, which as well as create disap- brought several diverse po- pointment among Tunisians litical parties and figures who would vote for Nidaa under its roof, might get Tounes with expectations of success in the parliamen- stability. tary elections. Inclusion of There are significant gaps former regime party, RCD, between data provided by members increases its orga- public polls on presidential nizational capacity. At the elections. This gap decreas- same time, this inclusion es the liability of polls as incites criticism of reviv- well as indicates high rates ing former regime toward of undecided voters among The most the party. However, during Tunisians and uncertain significant democratic transition pe- voter behavior. Eventually, impact of riods, people mey choose the results of parliamentary presidential to vote for former regime election might be beyond election on parties in line with the basic the expectations. equation of these parties to Tunisian political The most significant impact stability. Hence, Tunisians, life will be the of presidential election on who have been under pres- return of political Tunisian political life will sure of political and eco- figures from be the return of political nomic instability triggered former regime figures from former regime by political assassinations party, RCD, to party, RCD, to Tunisian and terrorist attacks, might political life. This situation Tunisian political likely to lead Nidaa Tounes. might either increase and life. The diversity of Nidaa deepen political polariza- Tounes might likely to trig- tion or contribute to the nor- ger crisis which will threat- malization of political life en party cohesion. This cri- in Tunisia. However, former sis potential might also have option is more likely to hap- an impact on voter behavior pen for now.

13 Toward a New Era in Tunisian Politics: 2014 Parliamentary Elections

ENDNOTES

1 Tarik Amara, Tunisian assembly approves new electoral law, Reuters, 1 May 2014, http:// www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/01/us-tunisia-electionlaw-idUSBREA400TH20140501

2 Al Jazeera, “Tunisia parties agree on election timetable”, 14 June 2014, http:// www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/06/tunisia-parties-agree-election- timetable-20146148584443218.html ; Jeune Afrique “Tunisie : les législatives fixées au 26 octobre et la présidentielle au 23 novembre”,25 June 2014, http://www.jeuneafrique. com/Article/ARTJAWEB20140625141745/politique-tunisie-elections-legislatives- presidentielle-tunisie-2014-lections-tunisiennes-tunisie-les-legislatives-fixees-au-26- octobre-et-la-presidentielle-au-23-novembre.html

3 POMED, “Tunisia’s Parliamentary and Presidential Elections”, 2014. p.4.

4 Seçim sisteminin ayrıntıları için bakınız: John M. Carey, “Electoral Formula and the Tunisian Constituent Assembly”, Dartmouth College, 2013.

5 POMED, “Tunisia’s Parliamentary and Presidential Elections”, 2014. p.5.

6 POMED, “Tunisia’s Parliamentary and Presidential Elections”, 2014. p.4.

7 Hare Kota sisteminin Tunus’ta uygulanışına dair ayrıntılı bilgi için: Veysel Ayhan, Tunus İsyanı: Arapların Devrim Ateşini Yakması, Ortadoğu Etütleri, Cilt 3, No 2, Ocak 2012, pp.59-93. http://www.orsam.org.tr/tr/trUploads/Yazilar/Dosyalar/201227_veysell.pdf

8 Abdul Latif al-Hanachi, “Tunisia’s First Legislative Elections Post-Revolution”, Al Jazeera Centre for Studies, 2014, p.3.

9 Abdul Latif al-Hanachi, “Tunisia’s First Legislative Elections Post-Revolution”, Al Jazeera Centre for Studies, 2014, p.3.

10 Tunus Yüksek Seçim Kurumu, ISIE, Electoral Lists, http://www.isie.tn/index.php/fr/liste- definitives-des-listes-candidates-aux-elections-legislatives

11 Tunus Yüksek Seçim Kurumu, ISIE, Electoral List, http://www.isie.tn/index.php/fr/liste- definitives-des-listes-candidates-aux-elections-legislatives

12 Linda G. Jones, “Portrait of Rashid al-Ghannoushi”, Middle East Report, No. 153, Islam and the State (Jul. - Aug., 1988, p.21.

13 Linda G. Jones, “Portrait of Rashid al-Ghannoushi”, Middle East Report, No. 153, Islam and the State (Jul. - Aug., 1988, syf.27.

14 Esposito and Piscatori, a.g.m., s.131.

15 Ayrıntılı bilgi için bakınız: Moore, a.g.e.

16 Nebahat Tanrıverdi Yaşar, “Tunus Seçimleri Arifesinde Türkiye-Tunus İlişkileri”, ORSAM Report No: 192, 2014, p. 10.

14 ORSAM REVIEW OF REGIONAL AFFAIRS No.14, OCTOBER 2014

%46 :ةيسنوتلا ةضهنلا وحشرم ,For evaluation of electoral lists of Nahda: Arabi 21 17 ,http://arabi21.com/News/Print/771411 ; Abdul Latif al-Hanachi , نويعماج %84و ءاسن “Tunisia’s First Legislative Elections Post-Revolution”, Al Jazeera Centre for Studies, 2014;

18 For results of polls conducted by IRI; http://www.iri.org/sites/default/files/2014%20 August%2019%20Survey%20of%20Tunisian%20Public%20Opinion,%20June%2022- July%201,%202014_0.pdf ;Al Monitor, “Tunisia Poll Shows Nidaa Tunis More Popular Than Ennahda”, May 2013, http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2013/05/tunisian- poll-ennahda-popularity-declines-nidaa-tunis.html

19 For results of polls conducted by Radio Tunisienne; http://www.radiotunisienne.tn/wp- content/uploads/2014/10/electoral-code-of-conduct-for-the-tunisian-radio.pdf ; For results of polls conducted by Pew Research Center; http://www.pewglobal.org/files/2014/10/ Pew-Research-Center-Tunisia-Report-FINAL-October-15-2014.pdf .

20 Official web site of party : http://www.nidaatounes.org/

21 Monica Marks; Omar Belhaj Salah, “Uniting for Tunisia”, Sada, 28 March 2013, http:// carnegieendowment.org/sada/2013/03/28/uniting-for-tunisia/fu2q

22 POMED, “Tunisia’s Parliamentary and Presidential Elections”, 2014. p. 9.

23 Anne Wolf, “The Future of Tunisia’s Nidaa Tounes Party”, 25 Temmuz 2014, http://www. mei.edu/content/at/future-tunisias-nidaa-tounes-party

24 Sarah Mersch, Tunisia’s Uncertain Elections, 8 Ekim 2014, http://carnegieendowment.org/ sada/index.cfm?fa=show&article=56873&solr_hilite=

25 Demotix, Popular Front Born, http://www.demotix.com/news/1508444/popular-front- born#media-1508397

26 For detailed information check official web site of party: http://front-populaire.org/

27 Nebahat Tanrıverdi Yaşar, “Tunus Seçimleri Arifesinde Türkiye-Tunus İlişkileri”, ORSAM Report No: 192, 2014, p. 10-11.

28 Huffington post, “Popular Front Opposition Quits Tunisian Assembly After Chokri Belaid’s Murder”, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/06/popular-front-opposition- chokri-belaid_n_2630480.html ; All Africa, “Tunisia: Popular Front, Union for Tunisia Meet to Form National Salvation Body”, http://allafrica.com/stories/201307292169.html

29 POMED, “Tunisia’s Parliamentary and Presidential Elections”, 2014. p.12.

30 Ettakatol Party official web site, http://www.ettakatol.org/ar/le-parti/historique.html

31 Magrebia, “Four Ettakatol members of constituent assembly resign from party”, http:// magharebia.com/en_GB/articles/awi/newsbriefs/general/2012/10/11/newsbrief-06

32 POMED, “Tunisia’s Parliamentary and Presidential Elections”, 2014. p.13.

15 Toward a New Era in Tunisian Politics: 2014 Parliamentary Elections

33 Nebahat Tanrıverdi Yaşar, “Tunus Seçimleri Arifesinde Türkiye-Tunus İlişkileri”, ORSAM Report No: 192, 2014, pp. 10-11.

34 Look former deputy of CPR, Mohammed Abu’s resignation letter: http://www. correspondents.org/node/690

35 POMED, “Tunisia’s Parliamentary and Presidential Elections”, 2014. p.15.

36 Anne Wolf, “Can Secular Parties Lead the New Tunisia?”, April 2014, Sada, http:// carnegieendowment.org/2014/04/30/can-secular-parties-lead-new-tunisia/h9mo

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