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RELATIONS WITH Tunisia: VERY VERY SIMPLIFIED

President Kais Saied

Tunisia-faces-Kais-Saied-fanack-AFP_Feth

Brief Summary and Background

  • Out of all of the countries that were involved in the Arab Spring in 2011, Tunisia is the only one that transitioned to a democracy.

  • In September of 2019, the people of Tunisia were able to vote for the second time in the history of their country.

    • This election came early because the previous president,  Beji Caid Essebsi, died, moving the elections from November of that year earlier to September.

What are the Main Issues that the People of Tunisia care about?

  1. Fixing the economy, which includes the 15 percent unemployment rate

  2. Increasing the security in the country

  3. Having a more responsive government

Who qualifies as a Presidential Candidate in Tunisia?

  1. You have to have been a Tunisian since birth

  2. Be at least 35 years old

  3. Be a Muslim

U.S. Relations with Tunisia

  • Tunisia and the United States have been strong allies since Tunisia's decision to transition to a democracy

  • The United States has committed over $1.4 billion to Tunisia's democracy in the form of security and support

  • Tunisia is a member of the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization

  • The United States believes that economic and private sector growth are essential to the success of the Tunisian Democracy, so the United States has pledged up to $335 million of support for that cause.

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