Tunisia: Progress achieved and prospects for the social dimension

In 2011, following the outbreak of protests – known as the Jasmine Revolution – which toppled President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's regime, Tunisia embarked on a path to democratic transition and socio-economic transformation, emulating the reforms and governance practices of established liberal democracies.

Nearly eight years on, the country has made significant progress, including in the social sphere, and has emerged as a regional leader in institutional reform. However, to avoid jeopardising the stability and progress achieved, further reforms are needed.

See also the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace report from October 2017: Tunisia’s Corruption Contagion: A Transition at Risk.

The authors argue that there were several steps the EU and member states could take to help Tunisia combat corruption:

+ Fund the digitisation of government processes
+ Prioritise the funding of Tunisia’s anticorruption bodies
+ Continue to strengthen civil society and ensure Tunisia maintains a free media

Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 08.12.17: Corruption, Not Terrorism, Is Tunisia’s Biggest Threat http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/74952?lang=en

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Report, October 2017: Tunisia’s Corruption Contagion: A Transition at Risk https://carnegieendowment.org/2017/10/25/tunisia-s-corruption-contagion-transition-at-risk-pub-73522

International Crisis Group: Impact Note, 10.10.17: Breaking Taboos in Tunisia https://www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-north-africa/north-africa/tunisia/breaking-taboos-tunisia

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