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Fethi Belaid / AFP - Getty Images
New Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki, left, of the Congress for the Republic Party, smiles on November 22 during the opening of the first session of the constituent elected assembly in Tunis.
msnbc.com news services report:
Fethi Belaid / AFP - Getty Images
Deputies stand before interim President Fouad Mbazaa's speech during the inaugural session of the elected constituent assembly on November 22.
Tunisia entered a new era of democracy on November 22 with the inaugural session of its democratically elected constituent assembly, 10 months after a popular uprising ended years of dictatorship.
As the country that set off the wave of pro-democracy movements that engulfed the Arab region, Tunisia's efforts to build a democracy are being closely watched around the world.
The Islamist Ennahda Party won the most seats in elections on October 25 and partnered with the liberal
Congress for the Republic and the left-of-center Ettakatol Party to form a ruling coalition and divide up the top posts between them.The mother of Mohamed Bouazizi, the fruitseller whose self-immolation sparked the revolution, attended the opening session of the assembly.
"I'm an optimist. I wish success for my country and I hope that the parties will work together and avoid problems," Manoubia Bouazizi told Reuters last month. "That's my message to them."
"I hope they are worthy of the loss that I suffered."
Fethi Belaid / AFP - Getty Images
Manoubia Bouazizi, left, the mother of Mohamed Bouazizi, the fruitseller whose self-immolation sparked the revolution that ousted a dictator and ignited the Arab Spring, attends the opening of the first session of the constituent elected assembly in Tunis.
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My heart goes out to the Tunisian nation as they make a transition to democratic rule. How ever difficult and ardous the journey might be i remain optimistic that the Tunisian nation is up to the task. It is sadly not only the question of governance that impacts on their socio-economic well-being but it is the global recession and the sluggish economic recovery world wide that has direct bearing on the socio-economic fortunes of the Tunisian nation. As the pace setters of the Arab spring i can only wish you the very best of success as you embark on this journey to democratic freedom and socio economic turn around. I must add that remain united and bravely face what the future has in store for the Tunisian nation. Long live the Tunisian nation.
I have so much hope for this country! Imagine the Islamic party pairing up with the two left leaning parties to make up a majority coalition. They can show the world that predominantly Muslim countries can be part of the international dialog as legitimate democracies, much like Turkey.
I wish the best for these people.
Ah yes, Democracy, god's own government system.
Ah yes, Democracy, MAN's own goverment system.