Tunisian Candidate Zammel Sentenced Amid Election Turmoil

Ayachi Zammel, a candidate challenging Tunisian President Kais Saied in the upcoming elections, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison on fraud charges, which his attorney claims are politically motivated. Despite his imprisonment, the election authority has stated he is still eligible to run, leading to public outrage over perceived democratic backsliding in Tunisia. President Saied, who centralized power in 2021 and has since dismantled independent institutions, is facing accusations of repressing opposition and critics, further highlighted by the arrests of other political figures. The European Union has been criticized for financially supporting Saied's regime while ignoring human rights violations, reminiscent of its previous mistakes in Egypt. As the October 6 elections approach, many potential candidates have been barred from running, raising concerns over the legitimacy of the electoral process. The situation reflects a growing crisis of legitimacy and public dissent against Saied's authoritarian governance.