- Tunisia protests spread for third straight day, despite threats of government clampdown.
- Tunisian Jews struggle to preserve ancient island community.
- In the Mediterranean resort town of Monastir, Jewish sewing machine repairman Simon Slama is running with the Islamist party Ennahdha.
Tel Aviv, May 7.– Tunisians voted Sunday in their first local elections since the 2011 Arab Spring revolution, a crucial step toward consolidating the country’s democracy.
Turnout appeared low, with just 13% taking part by midday, according to electoral authorities — a marked contrast from the long lines of voters at post-revolution presidential and parliamentary elections.
Voter apathy is widespread, despite anger at the country’s 15% unemployment and 7% inflation. It’s an especially big problem for Tunisia’s youth, who drove the 2011 uprising but haven’t seen their opportunities improve in the years since.
President Beji Caid Essebsi, casting his ballot in the Tunis suburb of Soukra, insisted that Tunisia has taken the right path ...
[ Full text ]