Tunisia election: Beji Caid Essebsi to besworn in as president

Tunisian President-elect Beji Caid Essebsi
is to take his oath of office after winning
the country’s first free presidential poll.
He secured victory last week over
incumbent Moncef Marzouki.
His triumph means Tunisia – where the
Arab Spring began – remains the only
Arab country to move from authoritarian
rule to democracy in that period.
On Monday, electoral authorities
confirmed that Mr Essebsi had won a
run-off vote against Mr Marzouki.
The new president will be sworn in at a
ceremony in the newly elected parliament
– where his party Nidaa Tounes also
holds the largest number of seats.
The swearing in takes place on the
anniversary four years ago of protests
that eventually toppled President Zine al-
Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011.
The BBC’s Naveena Kottoor in Tunis says
that while this is the latest democratic
milestone for Tunisia, many in the
country are arguing that political
transition will only succeed if newly-
elected politicians usher in social and
economic changes.
Mr Essebsi, 88, has urged all Tunisians to
“work together” for stability but critics say
his win marks the return of a discredited
establishment, pointing out that he served
under President Ben Ali.
This month’s vote was the first time
Tunisians have been able to vote freely
for their president since independence
from France in 1956.
The new president will have restricted
powers under a constitution passed
earlier this year.
He will be commander-in-chief of the
armed forces but can appoint or sack
senior officers only in consultation with
the prime minister.
( BBC )