Tunisia's democratic future 'still bleak'

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Tunis - Another sweeping re-election win by Tunisia's long-time president is a slap in the face for democratic reforms and political change in a country run with an iron fist, critics said on Monday.

No one doubted that President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, credited with bringing stability, economic and social prosperity to Tunisia, would win handsomely.

But 95 percent of the popular vote was seen as a bit rich, especially as the former general had promised greater democracy.

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Opponents and human rights group label Tunisia a police state, which stifles and regularly beats dissidents, holds more than 600 political activists in prison, muzzles the press and punishes citizens who dare to speak out against authorities.

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