Quarterly Journal of West Asian Studies
(Faṣlnāmah-i Gharb-i Asiyā)

Quarterly Journal of West Asian Studies (Faṣlnāmah-i Gharb-i Asiyā)

Political Consensus in Tunisia and the Issue of Democracy and the Constitution (2015-August 2023)

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Department of Law and Political Science, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
10.22034/wasj.2026.575242.1127
Abstract
The 2011 civil unrest was the largest popular movement to move Arab societies out of a state of “transition.” Unlike other Arab countries, Tunisian groups have attempted to form a national front and the rule of law through coalition-building politics, but despite significant achievements, many challenges remain, particularly in the context of the potential for authoritarianism to return. In this regard, the question has been assessed: What effects and results have the policies and competitions between political currents in Tunisia, especially in the field of political consensus/coalitions, had on democratic components, especially the constitution and the position of the opposition (from 2014 to August 2023)? The hypothesis put forward in the answer is that the existence of numerous challenges in the democratic transition and competition between different political groups, especially in building consensus - and its nature - has led to numerous problems in areas such as coalitions/consensus and fragile democracy, deviation from the constitution, weakening the position of the opposition, and extralegal authoritarianism. The findings indicate that the existence of challenges in the areas of democratic transition and - consequently - deviation from the rules of democratic law and politics and lack of institutional rationality have led to the weakening of the consensus-building process and the low reading of the constitution and - under it - the weakening of the position of the opposition. Also, an instrumental view of the "consensus" mechanism in instances such as its selection during elections and the lack of any effort to moderate the differences and challenges ahead has led to the "fragility" of consensuses/coalitions. Ultimately, the aforementioned fragility has led to the adjustment of democratic components, deviation from the constitution - and related issues such as - a tendency towards extralegal authoritarianism and the rejection of the opposition.
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  • Receive Date 11 February 2026
  • Revise Date 30 April 2026
  • Accept Date 30 April 2026
  • First Publish Date 30 April 2026
  • Publish Date 23 September 2025