Two independent candidates will contest the second round: Kais Saied, a constitutional lawyer, who garnered 18.4% of the vote and Nabil Karoui, a media mogul currently imprisoned on money laundering and tax evasion charges, with 15.6%. The election results are a rebuke to the main political parties that have dominated politics over recent years but failed to improve the economy. Not only did the candidates of the three main parties (Islamist-inspired Ennahda, and secularist Nidaa Tounes and Tahya Tounes) fail to reach the second round, long-standing opposition parties also failed to attract disillusioned voters.
Both candidates will support Tunisia’s democratic achievements, even if they themselves are no revolutionaries.
Saied has no party connections and could find himself isolated if elected.
Karoui can count on some Nidaa Tounes support.
Either president would be constrained in the likely event of an unfriendly parliament.
