with Ghazi Ben Ahmed, Scientific Collaborator at OMAM and President of the Mediterranean Development Initiative (MDI)
The book by Ghazi Ben Ahmed, “Echoes of Tunisia: Populism, Transition, and Hopes for Democracy,” offers a powerful analysis of the political and socio-economic crisis in Tunisia, exploring its origins and its repercussions on Europe. As the populist president Kais Saied strengthens his authoritarian power, this situation extends far beyond Tunisia’s borders, leading to an intensification of migration flows to Europe and fueling populist and far-right rhetoric.
The book also highlights the critical role of European policies, particularly Italian ones, in consolidating this authoritarian regime, an issue made even more crucial with the arrival of a new European executive. It also emphasizes the lack of a long-term vision from the European Union for Tunisia, as well as the recycling of existing policies, which often limit the potential of relations between the two shores.
By revealing these interconnections, this book invites readers to reflect on the future of Euro-Mediterranean relations and the impact of these political choices on the stability of Europe and its southern neighborhood. It thus hopes to inspire a better understanding and enhanced cooperation between Tunisia and the European Union, for the mutual benefit of all parties involved.
Ghazi Ben Ahmed’s book “Echoes of Tunisia: Populism, Transition, and Hopes for Democracy” helps to understand the impact of events in Tunisia on the European continent and underscores the urgency of adopting a more comprehensive and nuanced view of the shared challenges between the North and the South.
Ghazi Ben Ahmed holds a PhD in economics from the University of Montpellier I. He leads the think tank Mediterranean Development Initiative (MDI) based in Tunis and Brussels. He is a scientific collaborator at the Observatory of Arab and Muslim Worlds (OMAM/ULB). He is the author of a recently published book by Éditions l’Harmattan (“Echoes of Tunisia: Populism, Transition, and Hopes for Democracy”). His research interests mainly focus on Euro-Mediterranean relations, ALECA agreements, migration agreements, European cooperation, and the rise of far-right movements in Europe.
Wednesday, December 11th, from 12 PM to 2 PM
Commission Room
ULB – Building DE1 – Level 4 – Room R.4.110
Avenue Antoine Depage 1
1000 Brussels
Registration is recommended via jihane.sfeir@ulb.be