88-Year-Old Ex-Minister Wins Tunisia Election

Tunisians vote for new president in run-off elections
UPI

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tunisia’s election commission says an 88-year-old former government minister has won the presidential runoff with 55.68 percent of the vote.

The election of Beji Caid Essebsi, whose party dominated legislative elections back in October, completes Tunisia’s democratic transition after the overthrow of its dictator in 2011.

Outgoing interim president Moncef Marzouki received 44.32 percent of the vote, election commission chief Chafik Sarsar said on Monday.

Exit polls had predicted similar results soon after polls closed Sunday night.

Voting was largely pronounced free and fair with a participation rate of 60 percent, less than the nearly 70 percent in the previous round and legislative elections.

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