Tunisia Holds Its First Free Elections

The Takeaway

Many months after a man in Tunisia set himself on fire to protest his country’s lack of a viable democratic government,  some 90 percent of  eligible  voters in the country cast their votes  on Sunday. Over 4.1 million people cast their ballots in the first democratic election from the nation that ignited the Arab Spring. Early signs show that the once banned Islamist  Ennahda party is leading, possibly indicating a shift for the secular nation. Namia Nour moved to the U.S. from Tunisia 14 years ago and is the founder of Tunisian Cultural and Information Center USA. She voted by  absentee  ballot, and talks about the experience.

Invest in independent global news

The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!