17

The presidential elections of October 25, 2009 in Tunisia seem to mark a turning point for the country. although they saw the reelection of President Ben Ali, head of the state for the past twenty-two years. this reelection is nothing surprising in view of the “constitutional procedures” of the Tunisian State. However, there is a weakening of the system mainly due the nepotistic character of the government, increased unemployment and the growing authoritarianism of a heavily corrupted regime. Faced with the ageing of the head of state, the rising discontent, speculation about the future of the regime in 2014, when the next elections, will take place are rife in a society marked by various forms of religious use.