Tunisia is one of the most progressive countries of North Africa and one of the best examples of democratic development in the Middle East. Soon after it had gained independence from French domination, in 1956, it has established a women’s right regime that is unmatched by any other Arabic countries.
In its recent history, Tunisia had to face not only high unemployment rates, widespread corruption and poverty, but increasing food prices as well. The situation swiftly deteriorated following the 2008 global financial crisis, which culminated in street protests. In December 2010, the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouaziz sparked the so-called Jasmine Revolution, which was the starting point of a series of protests in the Middle East that radically altered the geopolitical landscape of the entire region: the “Arab Spring”.
Tunisia, unlike several other countries of the region, avoided political and economic chaos, and has shown progress in democratization by the ratification of the new constitution in 2014.
The recent elections of 2019 might be one of the most important milestones in the life of the North African nation. The country remains in a geopolitically sensitive area, bordering with the chaotic Libya, and Algeria, a country with lots of hidden political and economic tensions. The fragile democracy of the country needs to find a way to attract foreign investments and to further boost the two key industries of the country: textile exports and tourism.
