Tunisian President Kais Saied announced today, Saturday, that he will run for a second presidential term and will submit his candidacy during the legal period for doing so. In a speech marking the 24th anniversary of the death of Habib Bourguiba, Saied criticized certain parties that boycotted the legislative elections "but are now eager for the presidential elections," according to his statements.
He accused unnamed parties of "throwing themselves into the arms of foreign entities," noting that "these parties cannot run for the presidential elections in Tunisia." He added: "Many should know that power is not an ambition, a chair, or a couch as they imagine and dream, but rather it is a responsibility."
Saied affirmed his commitment "to cleanse the country from those who have corrupted it everywhere and there will be no retreat." He stressed that one cannot run from within "groups that throw themselves into the arms of foreigners," emphasizing that "the candidate must be endorsed by Tunisians, elected solely by Tunisians and not by any other entity."
Saied explained that "Tunisia is fighting a war for survival against those who sought to overthrow the state after January 14, 2011, and to sabotage it from within, targeting its public facilities and those who want to undermine state institutions to harm the nation. However, the Tunisian people have shown unprecedented awareness of this conspiracy against them."
He considered that "the people know all the hidden truths and will confront with the same determination, will, and high spirit of patriotism anyone who seeks to throw themselves into the arms of foreigners, undermining independent Tunisia that takes pride in its history despite differing interpretations."
