The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

Protesters march on a highway leading to downtown Tunis. Banner reads "We will not return from the Ministry of Youth without a job."

Nearly six months after Tunisia’s street-inspired uprising led to the overthrow of its longtime ruler, a gradual political transition is taking root. But as political leaders in Tunis negotiate the contours of the transition and debate the country’s new identity, citizens face everyday challenges ranging from unemployment to lack of security. These hardships are compounded by uncertainty and the threat of instability posed by the persistent conflict in neighboring Libya.

Qualitative public opinion research conducted by NDI in cities across Tunisia from late May to early June reveal citizens’ apprehension about the future and expose a fundamental disconnect between the political discussions in the capital and the priorities of Tunisians. The study, which took place in the midst of a nationwide debate over the postponement of constituent assembly elections, explored citizens’ attitudes toward the political transition, political parties and institutions.

NDI’s findings point to a citizenry that continues to register profound concern about the direction of the country, particularly outside the capital. Among the key findings:

• Unemployment is a principal concern among Tunisians, followed by personal security. Lack of economic progress is the prime cause for discontent with the political transition.
• Tunisians remain divided over whether the country is headed in the right or wrong direction. Pessimism applies to the economy, security and discontent with political elites, while optimism is linked to gains in freedoms of expression and association.
• Citizens prefer that politicians refrain from using Islam as a tool to gain votes, and largely feel that the state should be separate from, but be respectful of, religion.
• The postponement of constituent assembly elections was a divisive issue among citizens, and the lack of transparency and inclusivity in the debate over a delay provoked concern.
• Significant opposition exists to a 50/50 gender quota included in the electoral decree — requiring candidate lists to alternate between men and women — for a variety of reasons, including opposition to a role for women in politics, an opinion largely held by men, and a preference to focus on competency over gender. Women tend to feel, however, that women candidates are uniquely able to represent them in government.
• Awareness of political parties and the details of the October elections is low. Tunisians lament the lack of information available on the transition, admit to little knowledge of party platforms and want greater in-person engagement from parties on specific, concrete platforms.

The study confirms the vast gap that exists between Tunisian citizens and decision-makers, echoing the results from a first round of qualitative research conducted by NDI in Tunisia in mid-March with youth from across the country. The Institute is sharing the full results with those involved in Tunisian politics, including political parties, civil society organizations and the transitional government, with the aim of helping them to respond to citizens’ interests as elections approach.

Related:

• Read the focus group report»
• Focus groups in Tunisia reveal young people’s hopes for democratic transition»
• Tunisian political parties learn from transition experiences of other democracies»
• Women leaders in Egypt learn from global transition experiences»

Published July 14, 2011