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TUNISIA-POLITICS-WOMEN
Islamist-backed candidate becomes first woman mayor of Tunis
TUNIS, July 3, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Islamist-backed candidate Souad
Abderrahim defeated a city official who served under ousted despot Zine el
Abidine Ben Ali on Tuesday to become the first woman mayor of the Tunisian
capital.
“I dedicate this victory to all Tunisian women,” Abderrahim said. “My
first task will be to improve the face of Tunis.”
Deteriorating waste disposal services have blighted the capital since Ben
Ali’s 2011 overthrow in the first of that year’s Arab Spring uprisings.
The 53-year-old manager of a pharmaceutical firm, known for her pant suits
and blow-drys, has risen to the fore as one of the new faces of veteran
Islamist party Ennahdha as it seeks to modernise its image.
Although she is a member of the party’s politburo, she stood as an
independent in the May 6 municipal election, in which she headed the Ennahdha
list.
With 21 seats out of 60, the list emerged as the largest on the city
council but well short of a majority.
Abderrahim won election as mayor in a second round of voting by
councillors which was boycotted by left-wing and centrist parties who refused
to support the candidates of either of the main parties.
She defeated Kamel Idir, candidate of the Nidaa Tounes party of President
Beji Caid Essebsi, by 26 votes to 22.
BSS/AFP/BZC/1950HRS