The interim president of Tunisia, Moncef Marzouki, has insisted that the battle against the regime of ousted president Zine Al-Abidin Bin Ali is ongoing. He has called for it to end politically and culturally, not only on the security and army levels, in order to establish a state based on the rule of law, transparency and democratic institutions.
“We are facing two dangers: the return of dictatorship and the risk of obstructing the formation of the next government,” Marzouki told Al-Mutawasset television. “If I win [the presidential election], I will work with any government.” He refuted opposition claims that he will dissolve the parliament if he becomes the country’s elected president. “I will unite the country,” he insisted.
According to Marzouki, the risk of dictatorship returning to Tunisia is “a fact” and so his election programme aims to create a balance of power, preserve national unity, fight poverty and preserve the rights and freedoms of the people. He claimed that there is a conspiracy for him to fail in his election bid, in which some local media outlets play an integral part.
With regard to foreign policy, the presidential candidate said that he will work to build relations with Algeria to help fight terrorism in Tunisia. He would also seek to establish good relations with Africa and Europe, as well as China and Japan.
Marzouki’s main rival for the presidency is Beji Caid Essebsi of Nidaa Tunisia Party.