West will overlook Tunisia's transition troubles

Subject

Tunisia's foreign ties.

Significance

Following the ousting of Tunisia’s long-time dictator, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, in 2011, there were expectations that the West would help the country transition to a democratic state. However, Tunisia has been overshadowed by other emergencies, including Syria, Libya, migration flows and the euro-area crisis.

Impacts

• External relations will be focused on security, setting aside urgent reforms in socio-economic sectors.
• Internal challenges, such as corruption, will undermine Tunisian democratisation process.
• This will perpetuate domestic anger and disillusionment with democratic processes.
• The EU may take some steps towards local and micro-financing projects.
• However, economic challenges of key partners such as Italy and bureaucratic Tunisian agencies could stifle those.