Don't forget Tunisia

The very final results for Tunisia's elections are in, with Ennahda losing one seat from the expected 90 and, with the overturning of the cancellation of Aridha Chaabia's seats, it is the third party. The country is merrily going about its transition, it looks like Ennahda is getting the PM's seat, CPR's Marzouki will be the speaker of parliament, and Ettakatol's Ben Jaafar could be president. Maybe. Whoever gets what seats, they're starting to look at deep reforms — over the last few days top press people held meetings with party leaders to discuss media reform, for instance — and quietly making things happen. 

Sometimes I think all the money for post-uprising reforms should be put in Tunisia until Egypt gets its act together. Right now Tunisia is so promising while investing in Egypt looks like throwing good money after bad.

Comments

[Salwan]

Is it possible that the rate of reform and degree of success for revolutionary and post-revolutionary Arab states is inversely correlated with the degree of American entrenchment with the respective domestic elites of the countries involved? E.g., Egypt and Bahrain vs. Tunisia. (The case of Libya obviously does not apply - they relinquished ownership of their revolution long ago.)

[Sybil Wieners]

I agree with you on giving also an attention to Tunisia for it to become progressive like the many 3rd world countries that are now slowly rising.

[Warigia Bowman]

Hi Issandr, sorry to ask a stupid question, but could you please explain the ideological orientation of the winners of Tunisia's elections?

Yours, Warigia

[Mo El Khawaga]

Tunisia is ever inspiring, while Egypt is looking ever more like a lumbering, tired giant. Sad =(