Arab springs

There was a time…of high hopes: the so called “Arab springs”.

Only one succeed though, Tunisia. An example of Muslim democracy that especially young people like, therefore it’s genuinely democratic respecting human rights but also allowing Islam values some space. It’s the winning political system formula.

It wasn’t easy as Islamists were asking for greater power. Democracy is fragile, the economy depends on tourism: recent terrorist attacks at Bardo museum and Sousse aren’t helping. So its success story isn’t a fairy tale, transitions to democracy are always marked by bitter struggles: only in retrospect you can speak calmly about them. (And it might not be over yet).

Having said this, Tunisia has indeed some advantages. It has existed as a political entity for 3000 years (from the times of Carthage), is (almost) entirely Sunni: hence Iraq’s tribal wars didn’t occur here.

There were already strong political and administrative institutions, the military was restricted and nonpolitical.

Intelligently Ghannouchi’s party compromised with the old guard, which has lost the election but it’s still very powerful.

For all those reasons it's now a truly democratic Country.   

Let’s wish all the best to this Arab "summer": plenty of clever choices, but it also needs at least a touch of good luck.

So good luck indeed! To this bulwark, beacon, point of reference, mentoring democracy to the entire Arab world. A Country of great hopes!

….Always humble,

Angiolino