Zine el Abidine Ben Ali President of Tunisia Date of Birth: 03.09.1936 Country: Tunisia

Content:

1. President of Tunisia: Zine El Abidine Ben Ali
2. Prime Minister and President
3. Political Reforms
4. National Pact
5. Elections and Legitimization
6. Succession
7. Awards and Recognition

President of Tunisia: Zine El Abidine Ben Ali

Rise to Power

Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was born on September 3, 1936, in Hammam-Sousse, Tunisia. He joined the underground resistance movement for Tunisian independence as a teenager and served as a liaison between regional branches of the Socialist Destourian Party.

After Tunisia gained independence in 1956, Ben Ali received military training in France and held various positions in the Tunisian army, eventually becoming head of military security.

In 1974, Ben Ali was appointed military attaché in Morocco and later became chief of staff to the Minister of Defense. In 1980, he was appointed Ambassador to Poland before returning to Tunisia and resuming his previous position in the National Security Service.

In 1984, Ben Ali was appointed Minister of State for National Security and a year later became Minister of the Interior.

Prime Minister and President

In 1987, Ben Ali was appointed Prime Minister by President Habib Bourguiba, who praised his "firm grip" and ability to "hold the country together."

On November 7, 1987, citing Bourguiba's age and declining health, Ben Ali invoked Article 57 of the Constitution to assume the presidency. The transition was peaceful and constitutional.

Political Reforms

Ben Ali promised to create a "prosperous, open, and peaceful society" based on justice and tolerance. He released political prisoners, abolished the State Security Court, and limited the police's detention powers.

In 1988, he organized a congress of the ruling Socialist Destourian Party, which was renamed the Democratic Constitutional Rally (DCR). The congress adopted a platform of democratization, pluralism, and rule of law.

National Pact

In 1988, Ben Ali signed a National Pact with political and social organizations, declaring the protection of human rights, freedom of assembly, and religious tolerance.

Elections and Legitimization

Ben Ali held early presidential and parliamentary elections in 1989 to legitimize his regime. He won the presidency with an overwhelming majority and the DCR gained control of the National Assembly.

Succession

Ben Ali ruled Tunisia for 23 years until he was overthrown in the Jasmine Revolution of 2011. He was accused of corruption, nepotism, and human rights violations.

Awards and Recognition

Ben Ali received numerous awards and recognitions during his presidency, including the French Center for Socio-Political Studies' "Man of the Year" (1988) and the "Democracy and Human Rights" award.

Tunicia