Islamists face resounding defeat in university elections

Tunisian General Union of Students (UGTE), Ezzedine Zaator Tunis – Nabil Zaghoud Tunisia's Islamist Students Union on Thursday incurred heavy losses in the election for the scientific councils at Tunisian universities. Those who belonged to the Islamist ruling party Ennahda only won 191 out of 484 seats, while the majority of seats were won by the leftist students.
Secretary-general of the Tunisian General Union of Students (UGTE), Ezzedine Zaator, said that the Union managed to defeat Ennahda's students in all academic institutions especially in the major universities like the faculty of medicine, engineering, arts and media and communication. He also stated that he was able, for the first time, to choose students freely without pressure from the union body after years of oppression.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research said the election was successful and all parties including students, professors, administrators and workers worked hard to make them so. The ministry also stated that the elections were fair and transparent.