Opposition backs jailed Essam Chebbi as candidate for Tunisia's presidency

In Tunisia, a hundred opposition figures have announced their backing for Essam Chebbi, a political prisoner, in the forthcoming presidential elections. This move comes as the opposition aims to unite behind a single candidate to enhance their chances of challenging current strongman Kais Saied's rule.

The proposal, put forward by former minister Ayachi Hammami, intends "to put an end to the state of confusion and silence in the public scene (...) and to push and break the barrier of fear," stated Wisam Sghaier, a spokesperson of the Republican Party, to local media on 25 March.

"Chebbi is currently in prison, yet he is responding positively to the nomination. He might face further persecution after this announcement," he added.

Who is Issam Chebbi, Tunisia's jailed candidate?

Issam Chebbi, 66, head of the Republican Party, was arrested last February near a shopping centre while he was out with his wife. Subsequently, the police searched his home.

Since then, he has been held in custody on 'conspiring against the state.' Over twenty other opposition figures have faced similar accusations. According to lawyer Dalila Ben Mbarek, a year after their arrest, the state has yet to present concrete evidence to substantiate their alleged conspiracy.

On 12 12 February, Chebbi, along with five other political prisoners, initiated a hunger strike to protest against a year of "unjust detention and injustice."

Chebbi, a lawyer and activist, has been part of the Republican Party, a centrist liberal party, since its inception in 2012. 

Chebbi is the brother of Nejib Chebbi, leader of the National Salvation Front coalition of opposition groups. Since Saied took over all the extraordinary powers in the country in June 2021, the coalition has been advocating for the end of his authority.

If Chebbi officially enters the elections, slated for October or September, he wouldn't be the first candidate to campaign for the Presidency from prison.

In 2019, Nabil Karoui entered the presidential race despite being detained for money laundering and tax evasion, charges which he denies. He was eventually released midway through the race after Tunisia's electoral commission cautioned that Karoui could contest the election results since he was not afforded equal opportunities.

Despite controversy, Karoui's supporters regarded him as a champion of Tunisia's poor.

While Karoui and Chebbi represent opposing figures, Chebbi's candidacy could also potentially lead to his release, along with numerous other political figures in Tunisian prisons.

Would the Islamists also support Chebbi?

The political landscape in Tunisia has long been deeply divided, particularly between Islamist parties and other political factions. 

However, since President Saied's coup in 2021, Islamists and liberals have set aside their differences and united against the current political establishment.

Nonetheless, the impending presidential elections may bring their ideological rivalry back to the forefront.

"We should not be prisoners of past disagreements and ideological battles, and there is indeed a difference with Ennahda (the largest Islamist party in Tunisia)," remarked Mohamed El-Hamdi, an opposition figure, who is also facing legal charges of conspiracy against state security, to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, The New Arab's Arabic-language sister publication.

"The real question today is, is that field for political differences and debates still possible? This field is gradually shrinking," he added, arguing that Saied's rule has left no space for political differences, converting the North African state to a one-man rule.

Nevertheless, El-Hamdi argues that Ennahda should be held accountable for its role in the political crisis during its decade in power. Ennahda party has yet to address Chebbi's nomination.

"The Chebbi candidacy initiative has made progress since its launch, and its outlines are beginning to take shape. We remain optimistic," he concluded.