Handshake after Tunisian presidential debate lauded

TUNIS, Tunisia — A media mogul and a former law professor who are vying to be Tunisia’s next president sparred during a televised debate over how to fight terrorism and poverty — and then they cordially shook hands.

Tunisian voters celebrated the handshake as a sign that the democracy built on their country’s 2011 Arab Spring uprising is on the right track. For all the problems its next leader will inherit, Tunisia remains a haven of political diversity and relative peace in a region long dominated by autocratic leaders.

Tycoon Nabil Karoui and professor Kais Saied are competing in the North African’s country’s runoff presidential election on Sunday. They were the top finishers in the first round of voting even though neither man ever has held political office.

Their electioneering was somewhat extraordinary.

Karoui, 56, was in jail from August until three days ago on money laundering and tax evasion charges he says are politically driven. His wife campaigned for him while he worked to get released.

Youth supporters did much of the campaigning for Saied.

During Friday night’s debate, Karoui promised to combat extremist violence by “attacking at its roots” — the poverty in struggling provinces that are fertile recruiting grounds for the Islamic State group and other extremists.

He said he would attract foreign investment in the digital economy and seek partnerships with companies such as Microsoft, Google and Netflix to create jobs.

The enigmatic Saied, dubbed “Robocop” for his austere bearing, vowed to give poorer provinces and youth more decision-making power.

Nabil Karoui

Kais Saied