TUNISIA: Prime minister Mzali defends elections results as speculation continues about President Bourguiba

Record ID: 860365

  • Title: TUNISIA: Prime minister Mzali defends elections results as speculation continues about President Bourguiba
  • Date: 21st November 1981
  • Summary: TUNIS, TUNISIA (VISNEWS - M BENNYS) GV EXT Prime Minister Mohamed Mzali out of car and up steps SV INT (MUTE) Mzali greeted by President Bourguiba and they seat themselves SV PAN Two men talking (2 shots) SV Women on footpath PAN TO group walking President Bourguiba in middle SCU Boy watching and man applauding from top of truck (2 shots) SV Bourguiba group walking along GV Man waving from window TILT DOWN TO group walking SCU Prime Minister Mzali speaking in French
  • Embargoed: 6th December 1981 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Tunisia, Tunisia
  • City:
  • Country: Tunisia
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA41KTNSKWZFPK5FEH8DCRO61BJ
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  • Story Text: INTRODUCTION: In Tunisia, Prime Minister Mohammed Mzalihas said there were only 20 minor incidents reported during the recent national elections.Political opponents of the government-backed National Front, which won every seat, had charged it had committed a wide range of election irregularities - from arresting opposition observers to stuffing ballot boxes.In the election aftermath, with President Habib Bourguiba now 80-years-old and in frail health, speculation is growing about who will succeed him as head of state.

    SYNOPSIS: Mr.Mzali is a former professor of Arabic who was named last year as prime minister.Observers query whether he has enough support in the ruling Socialist Detour Party (PSD) to be nominated t succeed Mr.Bourguiba.Under Tunisian law, Mr.Mzali would become acting president upon Mr.Bourguiba's death until an election could be held.However, party sources have been quoted as saving Mr.Mzali has been undercut by rivals such as the Public Works Minister, Mr.Mohammed Sayah and the Interior Minister, Mr.Driss Guiga.Opposition leaders accused Mr.Sayah of sending out intimidating militiamen during the election.

    President Bourguiba looked sturdy enough on Friday (20 November) to take a stroll around the capital, Tunis.This casual public appearance came only two days after widely-circulated press stories that he was seriously ill from an undisclosed illness.Earlier this year, there were reports that the president was suffering from occasional bouts of depression and a shrinking span of attention.As the president moved among the people, Mr.Mzali spoke about the election.

    He said the election was past, but the results -- more than 96 percent of votes were for the ruling National Front -- had shown the Tunisian people's maturity.The National Front, he went on, had wide support -- from trade unionists, artisans, agricultural workers and women.And, during the campaign, it had held some 700 meetings, compared with around 300 by opposition parties.As to rivals' allegations, Mr.Mzali said there were only 20 minor incidents reported.

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