Debate has been escalating in Tunisia over the future of its presidency, with the nation divided between those who support President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali extending his rule for another term, and those (mainly activists and rights advocates) who are calling for signatures to be added to a petition that rejects both the extension of power and, alternatively, the transfer of power within the president's family or among his close affiliates. Ben Ali was re-elected as president in October last year for a fifth consecutive term. The day of Ben Ali's succession, 7 November, is celebrated throughout the state as a national holiday. "We Tunisians, from all political and intellectual backgrounds, home and abroad, declare our whole-hearted rejection of attempts to manipulate the Constitution with the aim of enabling president Ben Ali to run in the upcoming presidential elections, preserving a never-ending rule that amounts to a masked monarchy. "We also declare our unnegotiable rejection of any plans for the transfer of power to any member of the president's family or influential individuals close to him. We declare in advance our objection to any movements that serve either trend, which would violate the most basic principles of democracy and the dignity of the Tunisian people, who are entitled to choose their ruler," reads the text of the petition. Meanwhile, Ezz Eddin Bughamemi, a Tunisian citizen, wrote in an open letter to president Ben Ali: "Happy Ramadan, Mr President. Several Tunisian figures, including artists, sports stars and journalists, have invited you to run for a sixth term until 2014. Because of my firm belief in the substance of your historic address on 7 November 1987, which discussed changes in governance, and in which you said that there was no room for life-long rule or automatic succession bypassing public opinion, I invite you to honor your historic pledge, reminding you that showing your respect for the will of the majority is contingent upon your commitment to the words of your 22-year-old speech." Bughamemi urged Ben Ali not to respond to calls to extend his term, describing such calls as detracting from the president's personality and the country's reputation The rights activists' petition followed an appeal from the ruling Constitutional Democratic Rally Party (CDRP) which requested Ben Ali to "lead the state for the next period, in an explicit call to assume power for an additional term after his current and last term which, according to law and the Constitution, should end after four years." Opposition powers are wary of the potential for Ben Ali to extend his rule or transfer power to one of his relatives. While some see the CDRP appeal as a pulse-testing gesture, the news has surprised most observers since it was issued during the summer holidays, amid a political vacuum, and more than three years prior to the end of Ben Ali's current term. Observers say the call for Ben Ali to continue in power was very bold, suggesting an unevitable constitutional amendment to match the appeal. Political opposition groups in Tunisia believe that extending the presidency will be more difficult than it has been previously, given local and international opinion and the president's deteriorating health. The end of Ben Ali's era seems similar to that of al-Habib Burqiba, the country's first president. Translated from the Arabic Edition
