[IIS Brief] Democracy Under Siege: The Rise of Authoritarianism in Tunisia

The Arab Spring movement in Middle Eastern countries is regarded as a significant catalyst for democratisation in the region. Tunisia emerges as the only country where democratisation has persisted following the Arab Spring. After the impeachment of President Zainal Abidin Ibn Ali in 2011, Tunisia embarked on a process of democratisation, marked by the implementation of democratic presidential elections and a sequence of institutional reforms. Tunisia was deemed successful in achieving democratisation through two peaceful power transfers and fair elections in 2014 and 2019. Nevertheless, the prospect of democratisation in Tunisia is currently diminishing. What is the reason behind this occurrence?

Author: Rachmania Utami Tsalasa Putri
Editor: IIS Team
Designer: Dian Adi MR