Former military officers jump into Tunisia’s political arena
For the first time since Tunisia's independence, a political party founded by retired military officers will contest legislative elections.
TUNIS — Tunisia’s military had for decades adhered to remaining outside the political arena, but in a first for the country, retired commanders and officers of the Tunisian Armed Forces in early July announced the official establishment of a political party, Halumou li Tunis (Acting Together for Tunisia or Agissons pour La Tunisie). On July 29, Halumou li Tunis issued a statement on Facebook announcing that it had submitted lists to run in 17 electoral districts across 17 governorates in the legislative elections scheduled for Oct. 6.
Speaking to Al-Monitor before the July 29 posting, Mustafa Saheb at-Tabea, party chairman and a former high-ranking military officer, had said, “We obtained a permit, and we are determined and serious in our preparations to run on the lists in the legislative election in Tunisia’s 24 governorates.”
