Tunisia takes first big step toward democracy

In elections Sunday, Tunisians chose members of an assembly that will write a new constitution for the country, nine months after Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali was ousted amid protests. In early counting Monday, a moderate Islamist group was poised to win the most seats.

5 Seconds

00:00

1986

Tunisian President Habib Ben Ali Bourguiba, right, shakes hands in Tunis with his prime minister, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali. Bourguiba ruled Tunisia from 1957 until November 1987 after leading the country to independence from France in 1956.

/ AFP/Getty Images

July 28, 2003

Leila Ben Ali, wife of Tunisian President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, listens in Tunis as he announces that he will seek an unprecedented fourth five-year term in elections the following year during his opening speech at the fourth Constitutional Democratic Rally congress. Ben Ali first came to power in 1987, when he ended Habib Ben Ali Bourguiba's 30-year grip on power in a bloodless coup.

Fethi Belaid / AFP/Getty Images

Feb. 4, 1988

Tunisian President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, right, and Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi listen to the national anthems at the Tunis airport upon Gaddafi's arrival for an official visit.

Joel Robine / AFP/Getty Images

Nov. 6, 2003

People stand in front of a poster in Tunis showing President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali on the eve of the 16th anniversary of his accession to power.

Fethi Belaid / AFP/Getty Images

Oct. 21, 2009

Women walk past a portrait of President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali in Tunis.

Alfred de Montesquiou / AP

Oct. 25, 2009

Tunisians prepare to cast their ballot in Tebourba, a neighborhood next to the capital, Tunis, in presidential and legislative elections.

Hassene Dridi / AP

Dec. 28, 2010

President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, second left, visits Mohammed Bouazizi, 26, at the Ben Arous Burn and Trauma Center in Tunis. Protests over food prices and unemployment began Dec. 17, 2010, in Sidi Bouzid after unlicensed produce vendor Bouazizi set himself on fire. Bouazizi, who later died, acted after police officers tried to confiscate his wares and after he was slapped in the face by a police officer in a scuffle.

Hassene Dridi / AP

Dec. 23, 2010

Demonstrators clash with security forces in Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia, for a third day after produce vendor Mohammed Bouazizi set himself on fire.

/ AFP/Getty Images

Jan. 14, 2011

A Tunisian demonstrator throws a rock during clashes with security forces on Mohamed V Avenue in Tunis after President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali's address to the nation. Police fired massive volleys of tear gas and deployed troops in Tunis to disperse thousands of demonstrators calling for Ben Ali to step down.

Fethi Belaid / AFP/Getty Images

Jan. 11, 201l

Men burn a picture of President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali as they demonstrate in Paris.

Lionel Bonaventure / AFP/Getty Images

Jan, 20, 2011

Produce vendor Mohammed Bouazizi's cousin, Walid Bouazizi, prays on his cousin's grave in Sidi Bouzid.

Fred Dufour / AFP/Getty Images

Oct. 20, 2011

Maya Jribi, center, secretary general of Tunisia's Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) and candidate for the constituent assembly elections, talks to residents as she campaigns on the street in Tunis. The PDP, a secularist party, is one of the main opponents of the Islamist party Ennahda and the front-runner in Sunday's elections.

Zohra Bensemra / Reuters

Oct. 20, 2011

Nejib Chebbi, head and founder of Tunisia's Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), speaks at the Mosaique FM radio station in Tunis, days before a historic national election in Tunisia.

Lionel Bonaventure / AFP/Getty Images

Oct. 19, 2011

People from the Democratic Modernist Pole (PDM) party wait for their chief candidate in Ezzahra.

Lionel Bonaventure / AFP/Getty Images

Oct. 19, 2011

PDM's chief candidate, Ahmed Ibrahim, delivers a speech in Ezzahra.

Lionel Bonaventure / AFP/Getty Images

Oct. 18, 2011

Tunisian women of the Islamist Ennahda party, which was long outlawed by authorities, chant slogans during a rally in Tunis.

Francois Mori / AP

Oct. 18, 2011

Men look at a wall in Tunis covered with posters of candidates.

Lionel Bonaventure / AFP/Getty Images

Oct. 17, 2011

A supporter of the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) holds up a Tunisian flag during an election campaign meeting in Tunis.

Zoubeir Souissi / Reuters

Jan. 14, 2011

Maya Jridi, center, secretary general of the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), shouts slogans in front of the Interior Ministry on Habib Bourguiba Avenue in Tunis after President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali's address to the nation.

Fethi Belaid / AFP/Getty Images

Jan. 17, 2011

Tunisian Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi walks before a news conference at his office in Tunis. Ghannouchi appointed opposition figures to a new unity government, trying to establish political stability after violent street protests brought down the president.

/ Reuters

Jan. 24, 2011

Inhabitants of the central Tunisian region of Sidi Bouzid, who slept overnight by a building near the office of the Tunisian prime minister, call for the government to resign. Many of the protesters had made their way to the capital from the impoverished rural parts of Tunisia where the uprising began and held up pictures of victims of Ben Ali's bloody crackdown.

Fethi Belaid / AFP/Getty Images

Jan. 18, 2011

A demonstrator tries to catch a tear gas cannister during a protest in Tunis. Riot police fired tear gas and clashed with protesters in January at a small protest rally against Tunisia's new government in the center of the capital. About 100 protesters chanted slogans against the RCD party of ousted president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali. "We can live on bread and water alone but not with the RCD," they said.

Fred Dufour / AFP/Getty Images

Jan. 20, 2011

A protester kisses a soldier during a demonstration in Tunis against the Constitutional Democratic Rally (RCD) party in a new wave of anger about the presence of RCD stalwarts in the transitional government.

Martin Bureau / AFP/Getty Images

Jan, 26, 2011

A protester throws stones toward riot police during clashes near government offices in the Casbah, the old area of Tunis.

Zohra Bensemra / Reuters

Jan. 27, 2011

Protesters pull away barbed wire to let through demonstrators on the other side of the police barricade near government offices in the Casbah, the old area of Tunis.

Zohra Bensemra / Reuters

Jan. 20, 2011

People give flowers to soldiers next to the RCD party headquarters in Tunis. Demonstrators have criticized the country's new unity government for being mostly made up of old-guard politicians from the RCD, which was founded by ousted president Zine el- Abidine Ben Ali.

Christophe Ena / AP

Jan. 14, 2011

A demonstrator throws a rock during clashes with security forces on Mohamed V Avenue in Tunis.

Fethi Belaid / AFP/Getty Images

Jan. 22, 2011

Youths gather around candles in Tunis as Tunisians began three days of mourning. Flags were lowered and recitations of the Koran were broadcast to mourn dozens who died in protests.

Christophe Ena / AP

June 20, 2011,

Judge Touhami Hafi, center, chairs the Tunis Criminal Court in Tunis for the hearing of the two cases of money laundering and drug trafficking against ousted president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali.

Hassene Dridi / AP

April 15, 2011

People demonstrate outside the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Tunis to demand the return of former president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali so that he can stand trial for corruption. Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia amid massive street protests.

Hassene Dridi / AP

Oct. 22, 2011

Streetlights in the Marsa area are decorated with the national flag a day before the general elections.

Jamal Saidi / Reuters

Oct. 23, 2011

Men and women wait in separate lines to vote in Ettadhamen, Tunisia, a working-class part of the Tunis area. Voter turnout in Tunisia's first democratic election was nearing 70 percent, elections chief Kamel Jendoubi said Sunday, with just over two hours of polling to go.

Lionel Bonaventure / AFP/Getty Images

Oct. 23, 2011

Ahmed Brahim, leader of Tunisia's opposition Ettajdid (Renewal) Movement and a 2009 presidential candidate, casts his ballot in the El Manzeh neighborhood of Tunis. Some 7.2 million people were eligible to elect a 217-member assembly that will be responsible for rewriting the constitution and appointing a caretaker government after decades of autocratic rule under President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, who was ousted in January in a popular revolt.

Salah Habibi / AFP/Getty Images

Oct. 23, 2011

Tunisians wait to vote at a polling station in Ettadhamen, in the Tunis area.

Lionel Bonaventure / AFP/Getty Images

Oct. 23, 2011

An official checks the voters list as a Tunisian man waits to cast his ballot in Ettadhamen, in the Tunis area.

Lionel Bonaventure / AFP/Getty Images

Oct. 23, 2011

A Tunisian soldier stands guard at a polling station after the polls closed in Tunis, the country’s capital city. The election, the first free and fair vote in Tunisia's history, will set a standard for other countries in the Middle East where uprisings have triggered political change or governments have tried to rush reforms to stave off unrest.

Zoubeir Souissi / Reuters

Oct. 23, 2011

People fill out their ballots at a polling station during general elections in La Marsa, Tunisia. Tunisian voters poured into polling stations to vote on Sunday in their country's first free election.

Jamal Saidi / Reuters

Oct. 23, 2011

Tunisian election workers count ballots at the end of the voting period in Tunis.

Louafi Larbi / Reuters

Oct. 24, 2011

Workers in the independent commission organizing the vote in Tunisia tabulate votes after the country's general election. Moderate Islamists said on Monday their party appeared to be ahead in Tunisia's first free election.

Zohra Bensemra / Reuters

Oct. 24, 2011

A worker in the independent commission organizing the vote in Tunisia tabulates votes after the country's general election.

Zohra Bensemra / Reuters

Oct. 24, 2011

Workers in the independent commission organizing the vote in Tunisia tabulate votes after the general election at a counting center in Tunis.

Zohra Bensemra / Reuters

Featured Photo Galleries

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 29: Serena Williams of USA stretches to plays a forehand in her women's singles first round match between Serena Williams of USA and Virginie Razzano of France during day three of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 29, 2012 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

French Open results: Serena Williams loses, Maria Sharapova cruises

The American tennis star lost in the first round of a Grand Slam event.

Winnie Pajcic, 9, holds on to a railing as she leans back in the wind during a visit to Stockton Park in Ortega, Fla., in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Beryl on Monday May 28, 2012. Beryl came ashore early Monday near Jacksonville Beach with near-hurricane-strength winds of 70 mph. (AP Photo/The Florida Times-Union, Kelly Jordan)

Tropical storm Beryl, Flugtag, Rolling Thunder, Memorial Day and more in the day in photos

Tropical storm Beryl, Flugtag, Rolling Thunder, Memorial Day and more.

Camels rest at a watering hole outside the town of Aleg May 25, 2012. REUTERS/Joe Penney (MAURITANIA - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY)

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more in animal views

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more.

ANNAPOLIS, MD- MAY 29: Graduates cheer as the Blue Angels fly over during the 100th anniversary of the United States Naval Academy Graduation and Commissioning Ceremonies in Annapolis, Maryland, on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. U.S Sec. of Defense Leon Edward Panetta gave the graduation address. (Photo by Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post)

U.S. Naval Academy graduation

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta gave the commencement address at the ceremony.

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 26: Singer/actress Jennifer Lopez (C) performs with dancers during the Q'Viva! The Chosen Live show at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on May 26, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Eye on entertainment

Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Lil Jon, Eddie Van Halen, Mariah Carey and other celebrities.

Doc Watson, bluegrass and folk legend, dies at 89

The blind singer and guitarist was a Grammy winner, known for his flat-picking style of guitar playing.

Henry, a calf, sustained a head wound and required stitches after being slashed over the weekend.

Farm animals attacked in Fairfax

A calf, two goats and a chicken were slashed over the weekend at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon.

COVINGTON, LA - MAY 14: Brother Emmanuel Labrise of St. Joseph's Abbey prepares a casket for lining on May 15, 2012 in Covington, Louisiana. Louisiana law forbids those who are not licensed funeral directors from selling caskets. And since Hurricane Katrina leveled the timberlands that once provided the main source of funding for the abbey, the monks have attempted to make a living by building and selling simple cypress caskets. The monks won their first round last year, and have a hearing at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in June. (Photo by Sean Gardner/For the Washington Post)

Louisiana monks fight for the right to sell coffins

Federal court case pits a group of monks against the funeral home industry.

Back to Previous Gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.