Tunisia ex-regime officials plan political comeback

The North African country has nearly 5.3 million eligible voters, with some 13,000 candidates contending for seats in the 217-member National Assembly in October.
 
The parliamentary polls will be followed by an election in November, providing Tunisians with the opportunity to directly elect a president for the first time in the post-Ben Ali era.
 
Earlier this year, the rejection of a proposed measure that would have excluded former regime’s officials from running for office paved the way for their comeback.
 
Now officials from Ben Ali’s era, who have formed the political party of Destourian Movement, claim that their party members have enough competence and experience to serve the North African country.
 
“In reality Tunisians know us because they tested us. They are aware of our projects and achievements,” former Tourism Minister Tijani Haddad said.
 
This is while many people who took part in the popular revolution in 2011 which toppled Ben Ali’s regime are opposed to their return to the political scene.
 
“Why did we start a revolution if those we stood up against have formed political parties? The names and compositions of electoral list have changed, yet Tunisians just see the same faces from the former regime of injustice and darkness,” said a Tunisian man.
 
Analysts have also said that the October 26 parliamentary elections represent a turning point in the history of Tunisia, warning people to stay vigilant.
 
“Tunisia is going through a critical period and Tunisians must be careful. The counter revolution is a real danger that only ballots can stop. The upcoming elections will determine the future of Tunisia. People will either vote for liberty or dictatorship,” said a political expert.
 
Ben Ali fled Tunisia in the aftermath of the country’s revolution and currently lives in exile in Saudi Arabia with his wife, Leila Trabelsi.
 
Tunisia, the birthplace of pro-democracy protests across North Africa and the Middle East, revolted against Ben Ali in 2011.