Page 41 - Tunisia 2011

IRI Tunisia Index – Page Four

o Respondents were asked whether security, unemployment, political reform,

corruption and other issues had improved or worsened over the past year. Responses were mixed but generally positive, with the largest perceived improvement in the development of an independent civil society (63 percent noted improvement) and media (76 percent noted improvement).

o A majority of respondents said the current government was either very likely (27 percent) or somewhat likely (32 percent) to deal with the issues mentioned above. This demonstrates a decline in Tunisians’ expectations of their interim government since March, when an overwhelming majority (82 percent) responded that the government was very likely or somewhat likely to solve these problems.

 Elections

o One of the proposed systems for the constituent assembly elections is a proportional, closed list. Twenty-six percent of Tunisians said they are familiar with such a system, while 46 percent said they are not. In response to a description of a proportional closed list system, 53 percent of respondents said they would support such a system, while 29 percent said they would oppose it.

o A majority of respondents (53 percent) also indicated that the 50 percent quota for women delegates in the constituent assembly is too high, while 41 percent said it was the right amount. Of those who believed the quota was too high, a 24 percent quota was deemed more appropriate for the constituent assembly.

o While 93 percent of respondents indicated they are very likely or somewhat likely to vote in elections, voters are unsure who they will support. In fact, 72 percent responded that they do not know who they would vote for in constituent assembly elections.

 International Relations

o Tunisians have generally a positive view of international organizations. Majorities indicated they approve of the World Bank (71 percent), the European Union (72 percent), the United Nations (66 percent), the Arab League (60 percent) and the Union for the Mediterranean (51 percent), a multilateral organization comprising 43 countries from Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and the Balkans with the goal of supporting economic, political and socio-cultural cooperation. One exception to this pattern is NATO, of which 36 percent of respondents disapproved, while only 34 percent expressed approval.

 Information and Media

o The survey asked where Tunisians turn for local news and information asking that they cite no more than three choices from a list. Television was by far the most frequent first response at 59 percent, radio was next at 13 percent and the Internet was third at 12 percent.

###