This archive report was first published on 25 July 2019.
On July 25, 2019, Tunisia's 92-year-old President Beji Caid Essebsi, a major player in the North African country's transition to democracy after a 2011 revolution, passed away, the presidency announced.
Essebsi, a prominent figure in Tunisia since the overthrow of veteran autocrat Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali in 2011, had been hospitalized for a week after suffering a severe health crisis.
According to the presidency, Essebsi died at the military hospital in Tunis on Thursday morning, with the burial ceremony to be announced later.
As per the constitution, the speaker of parliament will temporarily serve as president until new elections are held.
Parliamentary elections are scheduled for October 6, followed by a presidential vote on November 17, marking the third set of polls in which Tunisians have been able to vote freely since the 2011 revolution.
