The document discusses the differences between generations in Tunisia as shown by the 2019 presidential election results. It summarizes that: 1) Younger generation Z voters supported Kaïs Saïed who proposed a new governance model based on local communities, while older "boomer" voters supported Nabil Karoui who promised economic reforms. 2) The election results showed that classical political divides no longer define Tunisian society as new figures and symbols are emerging. 3) The media failed to predict these emerging differences as it focused only on past election trends and was disconnected from societal changes.

1. Maghreb Economic Forum
Elections
Differences
One conclusion should strictly be derived from the results of the Tunisian
presidential elections: there is nothing unpredictable about the outcomes.
The excitement of bringing about political change after 2011, has
subsided due to unstable economy and confusing politics. Many factors
have contributed to the buildup of this new political scene. Various
elements impacted the course of the events in Tunisia, namely, social and
political ones.
Author: Imen Alnighaoui
Reviewed by: Mohamed Slim Bahrini
MEF Reflections

2. GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES
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If these elections have proven something, that would be
the generational difference between what modern
sociology calls the boomers and generation Z. Two
generations with different visions and expectations. The
revolution has produced diverge aspirations and, we can
observe this diversity throughout the 2019 elections’
results. In one hand, there is the classic vision based on
traditional demands related to economic fulfillments and
social safety. In another hand, there is this new wave of
unorthodox alternatives; and this wave is seeking new
system of governance and new social formation.
To put together a coherent explanation, we must understand the history of both sides.
The boomers’ generation is all individuals born between 1946 and 1964. It is the
demographical cohort who lived in the post-war era, which means that they were the
most to endure the hardships and aftermaths of war and colonization.
Whereas, generation Z is the ensemble of individuals born mid or late 1990s and early or
mid-2000s. They are the young people who grew up during the Ben Ali era and, they
were young during the revolution.
The difference between both generations is palpable. Both sides of the spectrum have
went through drastic different events and, therefore, have different concerns.
For instance, the boomers have felt threatened by the tide of crisis that were obliterating
their livelihood and their security. The post revolution phase has created unstable
economic, social and political scene. Throughout the last 9 years the country has went
through a slow metamorphosis. This tedious phase has created a tense social and
political sphere. Thus, we can observe this strain throughout the results of the first round
of the 2019’s presidential elections. 45.3%1
from the 46 to beyond the age 60 have
emotionally and consciously voted for Nabil Karoui who promised them a “social
contract against poverty” and an advanced economic transformation.
Whereas, the younger generation who is still embracing the revolution spirit, has been
looking for revolutionary alternatives to the social and political scene. The generation Z
is looking for a clean slate; a person who they deem as a renegade against the established
system and, therefore 57.3%2
from the age of 18 to 45 has voted for him. The system
which they believe has failed to achieve the aims of the revolution. This generation aspire
to build a corruption-free system, which is based on equitable distribution of resources.
Therefore, they voted for Kaïs Saïed who proposed a new State model, based on the
bottom up approach; which promotes the idea of that governance should starts from
local communities until it reaches the top of the State. These communities will be ruled
by local costumed laws, that differs from one governorate to another for the purpose of
effective local governance. He offered them an alternative method to combat corruption
and achieve equity and justice.
Who are they and what’s their demands?
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Sigma Conseil
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Sigma Conseil

3. The results of the 2019’s presidential elections are a public
announcement to the fall of the traditional “father” figure and an
announcement of a new era of symbols. In this new era of
symbolism, Nabil Karoui would be the “shepherd”— the one
president who would tend to his people needs and, who would
understand their desperations and frustrations to have a
functional and profitable economic cycle. Additionally, they are
aspiring to have a president who is close to them and who have
spent the last 3 years devoting his time to provide them with the
necessities that the government has failed to attend to.
Whereas, Kaïs Saïed would be the “sage of the new movement”
and the “wise Solomon”— for his fellowship, he is the voice of
knowledge. The person who is proposing a new utopian future,
where there is no place for corruption and vice; and where
power is to people by the law and the constitution. Through, Kaïs
Saïed, their dreams of fairness, justice and equity would be
fulfilled. For, his fellows, the president should be a “law guru” who
would protect the new State by the power of people and the
constitution.
The “father” might has fallen but new figures are rising, and the
cycle of symbolism is vicious. The people necessity to have a
guiding figure, regardless of its form, is manifested in their
actions and choices. The need for someone and/or something to
help the people walk the right path and overcome hardships will
always be present because in the popular vision; the people are
too feeble to decide for their own and, therefore they need that
unique leader to take care of them.
THE FALL OF THE “FATHER” FIGURE.
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The problem of media is that, they were too focused on promoting a social,
economic, and political models based on 2014 electorates choices. The analysts
and journalists were overwhelmed by the 2014 elections’ results, and therefore
were not able to predict the outcomes of the 2019 elections.
They were not able to read the choices and deeds of those who decided to
boycott the previous elections, as well as, of those who were not registered
during the last elections whether by choice or age obligations. The Tunisian
media was blindsided by the classical clashes between the left and the right, the
Islamists and the seculars and the liberals and conservatives. And, therefore,
were not able to foresee that classical differences are no longer shaping the
Tunisian society. This misstep reflects the fact that the media is not as diversified
as it supposed to be, or as media outlets claim it is. Journalists are in their ivory
tower, disconnected from the society and oblivious to their demands and their
needs. They are unaware of the possibility that they are no longer representing
the majority of the people. Yet, they are vacuously making the same mistake
when it comes to 2019 elections’ result using propaganda and misleading
terminology when describing the elections’ outcomes. For instance, several
media outlets are using terms as rattling news, unpredictable results, tragical
elections. Thus, refusing to accept that the gap between them and the people do
exist. And, therefore, they are disregarding the fact that what they represent is
only the dominant minority who have an overwhelming dominance over the
media scene, despite being a small fraction of the overall Tunisian population.
Today, Tunisian individuals are looking for candidates whether in the presidential
elections or the legislative one that see them, understand them and most
importantly resemble them. Leaders that would be able to see through their
frustrations and aspirations, whether for better life standards or for equity and
justice.
Additionally, the 2014 winners who formed the parliament and the government
have gone through dramatic divisions and disputes; which have weakened their
visions and, therefore deepened the gap between them and their electorates and
more generally the Tunisian people. Thus, it affected the flow of 2019 elections
and, resulted on the rise of the new school of politicians who have abandoned
traditional campaigning methods to embrace new approaches, as refusing
financial aids and, presenting not electoral programs but rather alternative social
and political models.
However, the media has misread these signs and, deemed these unconventional
practices as impractical and futile. This judgement has led them to unpredict the
results of 2019 elections.
THE ABILITY OF PREDICTION HAS
BEEN LOST ON THE LOCAL MEDIA.

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Regardless of the results, Tunisia is
bound to witness a new era of
governance. The political, economic
and social sphere will go through
drastic changes; alliances will
disappear, and others will be
conceived. The Tunisian society has
surprisingly, however, predictably
chosen a different battle, from that
of their politicians and their parties.
In 2019 elections, it was not a matter
of numbers and it was not about the
notion of majority, but it was rather
about individuality. Perhaps, these
elections would be the birth of the
Democracy of Individualism, where
the individual citizen is the most
important unit in a democratic
country. And, therefore, the ultimate
player in a game of new social and
political differences.
WHAT TO EXPECT?

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