Islamists claim victory in Tunisia
October 25, 2011
The Renaissance Party (Ennahda) -- Tunisia’s major Islamic party -- has claimed victory in the nation’s first democratic election since its 1956 independence from France. The party supported Iran’s seizure of American hostages in the late 1970s but in recent years has gained a more moderate image.
“Ennahda’s critics have accused the party of preaching modernism in public and radicalism in the mosques,” Agence France-Presse reports, “but Tunisia’s progressive left remains divided with party leaders having failed to form a pre-vote alliance.”
Only 21,000 of the nation’s 10.3 million people are Catholic, according to Vatican statistics.
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Further information:
- Islamic party claims victory in Tunisia elections (Vatican Radio)
- Islamists claim lead in landmark Tunisia vote (AFP)
- Renaissance Party (Wikipedia)
- Prelate optimistic about Tunisian democracy (CWN, 10/24)
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