Outgoing President Calls for Calm, Says He Will File Law Suits After Election Results

Outgoing Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki released a public appeal for calm on December 24, after protests erupted in a number of Tunisian provinces following election results which favoured his rival Beji Caid Essebsi. The interim President calls upon supporters to cease all violence, and announces that he will file legal complaints in to each of the incidents he describes as ‘violations’ in the election process.

He can be heard in 00.18 into the video saying, “As much as I can understand the sentiment of some people, anger, or disappointment, etc, I also cannot accept that protests turn to violence, and result in burning state institutions or other parties’ premises or risking citizens’ lives. This is totally unacceptable.I condemn all violence.”

Marzouki refers to what he describes as ‘violations’ which fueled people’s angers at the election process, saying, “if I appeal this it could extend the transition period for weeks. The country cannot withstand this with the fragility of the economic and security situation, and the war on our borders, all this means the country can’t withstand a single day of a power vacuum, let alone weeks.”

At 1.48 he says, “The most important thing today is national unity, political stability, security and transferring power as fast as possible. Also important is justice to me, and justice in democracy. This is too, important. However, the important must come after the most important..I have decided to transfer power as fast as possible.”

At 2.40 into the video he says, “At the same time, as I do consider that certain infringements did take place, we shoudl learn from these, I have decided with my legal team that for every violation that occurred a law suit will be filed before the court. I am sure that the court will bring justice to me and to democracy.” Credit: Presidence TN