The Tunisian people have beaten his despot on the run. From the initial protest movement became a revolution. But how do we proceed? Democracy is now within reach, believes Tunisia expert Alexander Knippert. Daily World Buzz: The Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali has left the country and announced new elections.Tunisia is now a democratic state along Western lines? Knippert: Certainly that is the wish of the Tunisians. Originally, the protest movement began in December so that the people went against economic conditions and unemployment on the road. One has but then realized it clear that the anger has expanded more and more against the government.
The demand for more democracy now plays a major role in the movement. Daily World Buzz: With interim chief Fouad Mbazaa currently leads a follower of Ben Ali's land. Do the elites, the country really renew or simply replace an authoritarian ruler with another? Knippert: Mbazaa was under Ben Ali President of the Parliament and is therefore unconstitutional, his successor, but he is also a man of the system.
This will certainly not be the one to represent a democratic move. But it is also a question of alternatives: There is no one else who could perform the duties. You have to leave now to those who are there. Daily World Buzz: The transitional government is in place, the first time since 1956, the opposition represented.
What now awaits the population? Knippert: The only task of the transitional government will be the preparation of free elections, the first in Tunisia. This is certainly a major challenge: There are no legal political parties which were not connected with the President. The big questions are: How do you integrate a formerly illegal political parties? How to tie an opposition from abroad? And what do you do with the religious parties: If the Islamists take to the election? Daily World Buzz: What opportunities do you expect from the Islamists, if they present themselves as candidates? Knippert: Compared with other Arab countries, I see the Islamists in Tunisia most child in a role.
However, they will certainly try to get involved politically. If they will be represented in a parliament, we will certainly not have to fear from them. Daily Buzz World: During the dictatorship, Ben Ali was persecuted the opposition, banned, or collaborated with the government. Today it is small and fragmented.
Can we trust such a force at all, to govern the country? Knippert: I do not think this can be a cold start. Democracy learn - that we in the West is best. This is a process that requires time and the setbacks have to be accepted. There are also many countries in the context of Tunisia, who want to see this project fail the most.
Daily World Buzz: Several times in the past rushed Islamic countries after the introduction of democracy into chaos. If democracy in Tunisia are to have any chance? Knippert: Tunisia has the best conditions for that, I think the country is in many ways, particularly in the region. There is a very well trained and large middle class, many people who have gone to university.
There are elites who are perfectly capable of ensuring a sensible policy. Tunisian women have by far the most rights in the region. The country has many elements of a modern state. What has been lacking was political freedom and freedom of expression. Daily World Buzz: The military has earlier taken the side of the demonstrators and thereby contributed to the development.
What role can it play in the future? Knippert: The military has sent the population but won the support of respect. Before the protest movement, however, it had a minor role. Most observers expect that this will remain so in the future. Daily Buzz World: How is perceived the developments in neighboring countries? Knippert: The manner in which this protest is over, is something very special.
Everything happened without any visible interference from outside and even without that an Islamist takeover indicated. This has never happened in the Arab world. This gives the neighbors to think much. The people there look with some admiration to Tunisia, while the leaders are very tense.
Daily World Buzz: Even in two months will have organized the transitional government elections. What will be the biggest challenges facing the new government? Knippert: The new political leaders in Tunisia will have their hands full surely. The economic success of the past must be taken further.
Tunisia was always one of the countries in the region that looked from her shining key data. Moreover, tourism needs to come back in motion, with this turn, the country must be stable. Daily World Buzz: What happens to the members of the old regime? Knippert: This will be one of the great domestic issues of the new government.
It will be the members of the old regime simply can not exclude. It is estimated that one third of the Tunisians was involved in the security apparatus. A separation of good and evil will be impossible.
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