RSS
« No Justice, No Chick-Peas: Lebanon Closes Hummus Gap | Merely noting generally depressing IsPal items »
October 26, 2009
Surprising News, Ben Ali gives himself only 89.621111% of vote, reluctantly accepts 5th term
Okay, I made up the 1111 part. Well, just for the entertainment value
Tunisian president wins fifth term in office | International | Reuters
President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali has won a fifth term with 89.62 percent of the vote in Tunisia's presidential election, officials announced on Monday.
One opposition party called Sunday's vote a missed opportunity to make the North African country more democratic, echoing accusations by international human rights groups that the campaign took place in an atmosphere of repression.
Ben Ali, who is 73 and has been in power for 22 years, has rejected those allegations and warned that anyone spreading lies to damage the country's image will be prosecuted.
"It is a matter of pride that the results have confirmed the people's support for President Ben Ali and their trust in him," Interior Minister Rafik Bel Haj Kacem, who oversaw the election, told a news conference at his ministry.
Yup matter of pride. After all, Tunisia could have elected Mr Comb Over for another constitution breaking term, and launched a program to relive the successes (ahem) of 1970s style Arab Socialist Autarky. Just because it worked really well the last time.
Otherwise, sorry for the absence, which was explained on my personal page. Afraid the crisis has finally hit home.
Posted by The Lounsbury at October 26, 2009 04:35 PM
Filed Under: Maghreb
, Political Development
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.aqoul.com/movabletype/mt-tb.cgi/3953
Comments
Was there another round of press releases from the various embassies in Tunis hailing the election as yet another victory for democracy?
Posted by: drdougfir ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.aqoul.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at October 26, 2009 07:57 PM
Yes indeedy. Lots of proclamations about the greatness of Tunisian democracy, etc. And ranting against the NGOs that dared criticise....
Still, not having the Great Comb Over is an achievement.
Posted by: The Lounsbury at October 27, 2009 06:36 AM
In other words the proclaimers were hoping for a reach-around.
Posted by: drdougfir at October 27, 2009 10:34 AM
