Tunisia Leaders Sign New Charter 3 Years after Revolution

Tunisia’s leaders on Monday signed the new constitution adopted by lawmakers during the night, a key goal of the revolution three years ago that touched off the Arab Spring.Tunisia

The historic document, seen as one of the most modern in the Arab world, was signed by outgoing premier Ali Larayedh, Speaker Mustapha Ben Jaafar, and President Moncef Marzouki during a ceremony at the National Constituent Assembly.

“With the birth of this text, we confirm our victory over dictatorship,” Marzouki said in a speech to the assembly, before signing the document which he then embraced, waving the victory sign.

“Much work remains to make the values of our constitution a part of our culture,” he said.

The charter, which took more than two years to draft, will enter into force in stages after its publication in the official journal, and in the run-up to fresh parliamentary and presidential elections later this year.

Tunisia’s dominant party Ennahda said it expected elections to take place in October.

Lawmakers approved the new charter in a late night session, with an overwhelming majority of 200 votes in favor, 12 against and four abstentions.

After months of political crisis and sporadic violence, Sunday’s vote set Tunisia on course to achieve at least some of the goals of the uprising that toppled longtime dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011.

Foreign leaders welcomed the vote in Tunisia, which, despite its own problems, is a beacon of hope compared with other Arab Spring nations like Libya and Egypt, both mired in instability and political turmoil.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called it a “historic milestone” and said Tunisia was a model for other countries seeking reform, while EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton hailed “important progress” in the North African country’s democratic transition.

The vote was made possible by Ennahda’s agreement to relinquish power in a bid to end months of political deadlock, allowing technocrat prime minister-designate Mehdi Jomaa to form a government of independents to lead the country to fresh elections.

Jomaa presented his line-up to the president on Sunday evening, before lawmakers voted on the constitution, and now must win a vote of confidence in parliament.