Tunisia's president faces little challenge ahead of Sunday's vote

Shoppers in Tunisia's capital. High prices and unemployment have left many struggling. Former Tunisian minister and election commission head Kamel Jendoubi describes a repressive climate under President Kais Saied. Analyst Michael Ayari says there are fears the results of Tunisia's presidential vote will be rigged. FILE - Tunisian President Kais Saied delivers a speech during his visit to Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia, Sept. 20, 2021. After five years in office, Saied has dramatically reshaped Tunisia's political landscape, even as high unemployment and a struggling economy persist. Ennahdha member Rhidha Driss believes peaceful demonstrations will multiply after the elections.

On a warm fall evening five years ago, supporters of the moderate Islamist Ennadha party packed one end of Tunis' Habib Bourguiba Boulevard, the iconic landmark of Tunisia's 2011 revolution. The other end hosted a boisterous get-out-the vote for business tycoon Nabil Karaoui — one of 26 candidates running in the North African country's 2019 presidential race.