A poll conducted by Sigma Conseil is suggesting that the Tunisians are tired of the good old political parties that have been governing the country and are prepared to bring independent voices in the forefront of government. Although polls are often misleading, this one may be reflecting the reality, largely because of the country’s broken political system and the sheer number of respondents who sided with independent candidates for the upcoming presidential election. The interesting take from the Sigma poll is that the current Prime Minister Youssef Chahed gathered only a mere 7.1% of likely voters, down from 30.7% in February. He is not too far from former President, Moncef Marzouki at 6.4%.
These figures, although they are just intentions, are hinting on a malaise in Tunisian society over the people who are or have been in power and are part of the current political machinery. In contrast, two independent personalities appear to show strong momentum, with the public seeking different faces and voices to fix the political mess in Tunis. Nessma TV founder Nabil Karoui appears in the lead, with 24.7% of likely voters, followed by Kaïs Saïed, a university lecturer in law gathering 22.9%. Ms. Abir Moussi, an outspoken lawyer and President of the Parti Destourien Libre (PDL), comes next at 10.8%.
Furthermore, the poll shows that yet-to-be-established political party by Nabil Karoui is reported by as many as 30.5% of the survey respondents, while the Islamist Ennahda is in sharp decline after holding the lead with 33% in February but can still count on 17.3% of likely voters.
