Voices from Tunisia: How will you vote in the parliamentary elections?
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Naweres, 26, graphic designer
Also, I don’t trust Rached Ghannouchi. Ennahda says that they moved from an aggressive program to a peaceful position, but I don’t believe it. Things will get much worse if they get control of the country for the next five years.
In Nidaa Tounes, the politicians are experienced and know how to run the country. They are not extremists. They have a solid programme, especially an excellent program for cultural development. They plan on opening more cinemas and galleries. That’s really important - culture is important for Tunisia.
Mohamed, 42, restaurant cashier
When Ennahda was in the [National] Constituent Assembly, everyone colluded against them. But they weren’t responsible for the security problems or the bad economy. There were so many strikes and protests. It was unfair. What did people expect?
Ennahda cares our about values and dignity as Tunisians and represents all of us.
Rani, 35, computer salesman
Riahi made a fortune from nothing and can help Tunisia. I trust him personally. He’s young, smart and understands business. Tunisia needs a smart and experienced businessman to fix the economy. That’s the most important priority.
Msaddeq, 53, taxi driver
They are carrying on the legacy of Habib Bourguiba, who made Tunisia strong and independent. I think Nidaa Tounes can do that for us again, make us a strong nation again. We have a lot of problems to deal with. If those problems aren’t fixed, Tunisians will suffer.
Nidaa Tounes is going to fix the economy and our security problems. They should crush the terrorists. [The party] is made up of the people who built the new Tunisia, who made it a modern nation. It is only because of Nidaa Tounes that we are even going to have democratic elections in the first place. [Transitional President] Marzouki and Ennahda made things much worse while they were in power.
Arbia, 24, student
Maybe in a few years, I will want to start wearing a niqab. If the secular parties rule the country, I fear that they may outlaw the niqab.
When Ennahda was in power, everyone was against them. They didn’t use enough force, in my opinion, and they didn’t have enough power. But if they control the parliament for five years, they can change the country.
I think there should be sharia law in Tunisia in the next twenty years. This is our religion. Most Tunisians are Muslims and that’s what [Islam] requires of us.
Mohammad, 58, accountant
Ennahda causes trouble for everyone, but they will win this election unfortunately. It’s a shame that Tunisians have to unite all secular parties together to even compete with Ennahda in the elections. It’s always Ennahda on one side, and the rest of the country on the other.
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