Tunisia's 'clean election' is a signal of hope

TUNISIA's elections, which saw a turn-out of 90 per cent, have been hailed by many as a victory for democracy and a triumph of the Arab Spring. But some commentators see the ghosts of promised democracies past. 

Clean election is a start
Having launched what became known as the Arab Spring, Tunisia has now led the region by holding a "clean election", says Jonathan Steele in The Guardian. The country's big challenge now is to draw up a constitution which safeguards the political freedoms that those who rose up against Ben Ali in January demanded.

Tunisia's road ahead remains tough, adds Steele. "At least, the omens are clearer than in Egypt or its neighbour, Libya."

The course of the Arab Spring was never going to run as smoothly as its enthusiastic supporters hoped, says an editorial in The Independent. But the contrast between the scenes from Libya and Tunisia in recent days provide cause for both optimism and pessimism.

Libya, "born of blood", and helped into being from the outside, is likely to find its path to modern statehood problematic. In contrast, Tunisia has held its first free and successful elections. "What has happened so far is promising, but it is only a start."

Tunisia has sent a signal of hope in a troubled region, says an editorial in The Financial Times. With the right help, the odds are in Tunisia's favour. It is close to European markets, has a well educated population and the region's largest middle class. "While these advantages may not be shared by all its peers, it offers an encouraging example to follow."

Don't forget Algeria
At first glance, Tunisia's elections can be deemed a success, says an editorial in The Daily Telegraph. But the strong showing by the Islamist Ennahda Party "will cause concern". This is becoming a pattern in the region, with the Muslim Brotherhood strongly placed for next month's elections in Egypt.

The "template was forged six years ago" when terrorist organisation Hamas won a crushing victory in Gaza elections, the editorial adds. "There was always a danger that dark forces would lie behind the Arab awakening."

Yes, the scenes from Tunisia were heartwarming, says Boaz Bismuth from Israel's Israel Hayom. "This was a true democratic celebration." But neighbouring Algeria also saw historic parliamentary elections in 1997. "Then the whole world talked about how democracy was on the horizon. Does anyone remember that?" ·