Abstract

The rise of Kais Saied in Tunisia, marked by his election as president in October 2019, his dismantling of constitutional institutions, and the subsequent consolidation of power by 2022, signals the end of Tunisian exceptionalism. Tunisia’s democratic transition, once considered a successful example in the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region, suffered a dramatic reversal, reinforcing notions of Arab exceptionalism. Initially, Tunisia established democratic mechanisms involving legislative accountability, separation of powers, transparent electoral processes, and constitutional checks on executive authority. However, persistent economic stagnation, poor governance, and widespread public dissatisfaction, exacerbated by ineffective crisis management during the COVID-19 pandemic, undermined public trust. Exploiting this disenchantment, Kais Saied secured broad support, promising economic recovery, employment generation, and development. His subsequent actions centralized power, eroded democratic institutions, and altered the constitutional framework, leading to a significant democratic backslide. The Tunisian experience thus illustrates a critical lesson for democratic aspirations in the WANA region: democratic stability requires not only robust constitutional processes and political consensus but also effective governance, economic prosperity, and efficient crisis management.