This latest survey conducted by Stigma Conseil shows growing popularity of Beji Caid Essebsi's party, Nidaa Tounes. Almost 30% of Tunisians would vote for Essebsi if the elections were to be held now, whereas around 22% would support Hamadi Jebali and 12% would give their vote for communist leader Hamma Hammami.
These figures basically underscore the fallout from Chokri Belaid's assassination. His comrade Hammami gains in popularity due to solidarity, while support for Ennahda dwindles. Jebali's principled stance against his own party won him points.
Often portrayed as remnants of the RCD and even as a counter-revolutionary force, Nidaa Tounes may be poised to emerge as the winner from this political debacle. It may undeservedly reap the benefits of Ennahda's failures and turn into a formidable force on Tunisia's fractured political scene. The CPR, Ettakatol and the Democratic Alliance may, however, be condemned to oblivion.
The hope is, however, that the current political turmoil will not lead Tunisians to grow wistful about the good old days of dictatorship. Many voted Ennahda into power because of the Islamists' record of strenuous opposition to the dictatorship and self-sacrifice. Some opted for Ennahda not because of what the party represents but what it does NOT represent, which is RCD. Now those voters are getting disillusioned. Hopefully, they will not make the same mistakes and think twice before bringing to power Bourguibists and Benalists just because they are not Nahdhaouis.
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