Amidst ongoing waves of unrest in the country’s interior regions, Tunisians continue to express frustration with newly-elected leaders’ slow progress in addressing their economic concerns. Citizens are anxious to see their elected MPs come to them with solutions and concrete achievements, according to NDI public opinion research conducted in October 2015.

One year after historic elections brought a new president and parliament to power, citizens feel they have yet to see meaningful progress. Amidst frustration with government and parliament, citizens see upcoming municipal elections, expected to be held later in 2016, as a chance to elect local leaders who will be better able to promote regional and local development.

The focus group research, conducted from October 22 to 29, 2015, targeted 144 participants from four cities across Tunisia: Gafsa, Kef, Sousse, and Greater Tunis. The research built on thirteen previous rounds of public opinion research conducted by NDI in Tunisia since March 2011. NDI’s research solicited Tunisia’s perspectives on the performance of parliament and the government on the eve of their one-year anniversaries in office, as well as on drivers of and potential solutions to economic and security issues.

While some respondents commended parliament’s passage of key pieces of legislation, the majority believe that MPs are not delivering on their electoral promises or effectively representing constituents. As one focus group participant commented, “the problem is that they are acting as if they forgot the main cause of the revolution, which is employment.”

Respondents note the government’s efforts on security as its most important accomplishment, but remain divided on whether the security situation is actually improving. Amidst a flagging economy, citizens call on their leaders to combat the parallel economy and high inflation.

Key findings include:

• While citizens continue to see freedom of expression, embodied in the country’s flourishing civil society, as a positive development since the revolution, they believe that the economy and security are going in the wrong direction.

Parliament

• Respondents express their wish for MPs to voice the concerns of their constituents in parliament and to produce tangible achievements. As one participant commented, “it would be better if they stop talking on TV shows and start working practically on the people’s problems and focusing on concrete solutions in the field, like development projects in the governorates.”

• A minority of respondents are satisfied with how MPs have begun their work, noting the passage of key pieces of legislation. Some respondents point appreciatively to specific cases when MPs advocated for their constituents. Despite the slow progress in parliament, one participant noted, “we can still enjoy the way [MPs] discuss important issues in democratic ways.”

• To address the communication gap, respondents propose that MPs meet regularly and directly with citizens throughout their districts, as they did during the campaign. “Before the elections,” one respondent remarked, “they used to visit the regions, go to markets, even visit people in their homes! They talked to us and collected our views. Afterwards, when they won seats, they disappeared!”

• Disillusioned by what they see as empty rhetoric and frequent partisan debate, respondents indicated declining interest in following the work of their MPs. They doubt the accuracy of the media’s reporting on parliament, relying instead on information from civil society and social media.

Government

• Respondents view the government’s efforts on security as its most important accomplishment; some also note that the government is improving Tunisia’s image on the international stage. The majority of respondents, however, believed that the government has failed to address such issues as insecurity, unemployment, and smuggling.

Economy

• A growing number of respondents believe the economy to be in decline, citing the primary needs as combating the parallel economy and reducing inflation. Participants believe the parallel economy is caused by cross-border smuggling, corruption among policemen and border agents, and the lack of job opportunities. To combat it, they propose free trade zones on the borders with Algeria and Libya. Citizens also want the government and parliament to play a stronger role in regulating prices.

Security and Terrorism

• Distrustful of the police, citizens believe that they need better training and commitment to their role of respecting and protecting citizens.

• Respondents believe terrorist recruitment is driven by offers of financial gain, misinterpretation of religious ideology, and unemployment and lack of opportunities. As one participant opined, “Haram or halal do not matter. All they want and need is money. . . . Terrorism is due to poverty.”

• While recruitment for terrorism is viewed as a real problem, some respondents believe politicians exaggerate the seriousness of the terrorist threat. Participants outline a number of potential solutions, highlighting education, employment, and security reform.

Women and Youth

• Respondents suggest that parliament should focus legislation on women’s economic empowerment, political engagement and leadership, and issues related to divorce and violence against women.

• Unemployment is a top concern for youth. Without opportunities to establish themselves through economic independence, youth have little interest in participating in political or civic life. As one respondent noted, “Young people are concerned primarily about jobs. When he thinks about organizations, associations, or political parties, he would say, ‘what would I get from them? How would this adherence be beneficial for me?’”

Municipal Elections

• Most respondents view upcoming municipal elections as an essential step toward addressing regional and local development and unemployment. To encourage young people to vote in these polls, local authorities and civil society should undertake awareness-raising campaigns, and parties should engage youth as candidates and offer tangible platforms.

Corruption and Decentralization

• Citizens express concerns about corruption and the unscrupulousness of public servants, while also blaming citizens for enabling corruption. Some see decentralization of public administration as a means to limit corruption while promoting regional development.

• Regional development projects are a high priority for respondents. The government is seen as responsible for facilitating investment throughout the country. Respondents call on the government to ease loan and funding requirements to allow more individuals to start projects, and see the upcoming decentralization process as a key driver of regional development.

NDI is sharing the findings with political parties, parliamentary groups and government ministries to inform the policy-making process and encourage increased responsiveness to citizens’ interests and needs.

This research was supported by funding from the U.S. State Department’s Middle East Partnership Initiative.

Published on January 29, 2016