Ben Ali intends to nominate himself for the Presidential elections 2004

Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali yesterday announced his nomination for a new term of office in the Presidential elections for 2004. This was expressed in a speech he had delivered at the fourth conference for the democratic constitutional coalition ruling party.

However, the ruling party's central committee had approved in June a petition urging the President whose term of office is expired to nominate himself again and called on the conference to adopt this petition.

The democratic constitutional coalition asked the President to meet the "call of the homeland to nominate himself to the Presidential elections." More than one year ago, Ben Ali made a constitutional amendment permitting him to seek office for another term. The new constitution, which was approved in a referendum held in May 2003 at a majority of 99%, states an unlimited number of term of offices for Presidency.

It was decided to raise the age of the candidate from 70 to 75 year. A matter which avails President Ben Ali to nominate for two or more terms of offices each is of five year duration.

Worthy mentioning that Ben Ali assumed power in Tunisia 15 years ago when he displaced the former President al-Habib Bourgeiba because of his old age.