Tunisia Holds First Local Election Since 2011 Arab Spring

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.  Polling officers count votes at a polling station in Tunis, Tunisia

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 ...

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