Austria / Spindelegger: “Elections usher in a new era in Tunisia”
VIENNA, Austria, October 28, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Spindelegger: “Elections usher in a new era in Tunisia”
“The elections to the Constituent Assembly last Sunday brought about a new era for Tunisia. The people of Tunisia have given impressive proof of their mature understanding of democracy with these elections – only nine months after the end of Ben Ali’s regime – held in such a fair, well-structured and transparent way and with the high voter turnout”, Vice-Chancellor, Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger said, congratulating the Tunisian people on organising their first free elections.
The final election results have not been announced yet, but it can be assumed that the moderate Islamist Ennahda party has claimed a clear victory. “Whatever the composition of the future Tunisian government, I expect that the forces elected will follow up on what they have announced and will not waver in their democratic approach to the rule of law”, the Foreign Minister said.
“Not only was it the first free election in Tunisia, it was also the first free election in the region since the Arab Spring which – after all – had its beginnings in Tunisia. And the Tunisian people have set an excellent example for the whole of North Africa and the Middle East”, Spindelegger continued. “It is now imperative that the democratic process is continued to complete transition to a democratic rule of law. Austria and the EU are ready to support Tunisia in its efforts”, Spindelegger concluded.
SOURCE
Austria – Ministry of Foreign Affairs
