Tunis: The defeated candidate in Tunisia’s presidential run-off announced on Tuesday a new movement to “prevent the return of despotism.”
Munsif Marzouqi told thousands of supporters at his campaign headquarters in a Tunisia suburb that he will create a movement of the people in all the cities of the country to “preserve the future of Tunisia.”
Tunisians elected veteran politician Beji Qaid Al Sebsi as the new president on Sunday after a series of elections that completed the country’s democratic transition following the 2011 revolution.
Al Sebsi served with Tunisia’s previous presidents and his party includes many old regime officials, prompting fears by some of a return to the country’s more authoritarian past.
Marzouqi called on his supporters to organise in a “peaceful and democratic” manner.
Soon after election results were announced Monday, riots erupted in several southern cities, which voted overwhelmingly for Marzouqi in a vote that divided on geographic lines.
Interior Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Aroui said the situation was stable by Tuesday after policemen used tear gas to disperse angry protesters.
Demonstrations erupted in the cities of Gabes, Tataouine, Douz and the Tunis suburb of Kram. Police stations and the headquarters for Al Sebsi’s party were attacked.
