"With Ben Ali, we weathered all storms."
That was a statement made by one female Tunisian intellectual, who supports the candidacy of Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali for a new term.
"During two decades under Ben Ali's leadership," she said "Tunisia has managed to survive all the political and economic storms that hit the region, including extremism, terrorism, globalisation, regional instability, the Iraq war, the question of Palestine, and the recent global economic meltdown."
She missed the vulnerable state of Tunisia during the final days of the presidency of the late Tunisian leader Habib Bourghiba, whose poor health and old age could have plunged the North African country into an irreversible crisis, had it not been averted by the intervention of Ben Ali.
If permitted, any of the above mentioned crises would have had a deeply devastating effect on the country.
At the end of Bourghiba's presidency, Tunisia was at risk of losing all of the great achievements that it had acquired since its independence.
With the Change that brought Ben Ali to power, Tunisia was able to constitutionally resolve its problems within the country's legislative and administrative structure, without shaking the foundation of the state, and whilst keeping hold of its achievements.
Ben Ali's ascent to power coincided with the rise of radical Salafi movements throughout the Arab region that produced serious social and political changes, even upheavals, some of which are still evident in the political scene today.
But Ben Ali's Tunisia stood fast against extremist thought, whilst holding onto its Islamic culture and heritage, and at the same time marinating the state's secular nature.
Although Tunisia was hit by one terrorist attack which targeted a historic synagogue in Jerba, the country has been overwhelmingly free from terror threats. This is a reflection of Ben Ali's balanced policies, especially when you consider the bloody clashes and security crises in neighbouring Algeria.
However, security was not all that Ben Ali's Tunisia had to offer.
During the last twenty years, Tunisia has made remarkable achievements in education and economy.
Tunisia has managed to avoid the worst of the negative impact of globalisation on its economy, sustaining development even during the most difficult of times internationally.
It has successfully tackled troubling issues relating to youth, employment, education, IT skills and technology.
Tunisia's strong services industry was built on solid foundations, and the country's stability has helped its tourism sector and foreign investments.
Ben Ali's Tunisia has maintained excellent relations with its neighbours.
Tunisia has also frequently expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine and Iraq, stressing that the region's problems could not be solved without a just solution to these crises.
But perhaps Tunisia's most recent evidence of wisdom has been in the way it averted the strong impact of the global financial crisis that has cost so many other countries so dearly.
It is almost as if Tunisia had prepared itself for such a crisis, as it strengthened its local market and economy.
For all of the above reasons, Tunisians will be keen to see that Ben Ali's leadership continues after the next presidential elections.
Both the Tunisian government's friends and foes agree on the outstanding economic achievements of the country.
Tunisia's economic growth rate did not fall below 5% and its poverty is at a 3.8% low. Its annual income per capita rose to five thousand dinars. Two thirds of its population fall into the middle class category, with an average life expectancy of seventy-four.
The country's strong economy and high standard of living have been hailed by international economists and analysts.
The country is moving forward to introduce more political flexibility and tolerance (witness Ben Ali's challengers to presidency and their media campaign). It is also restructuring its media to allow more freedoms. These, and many other promises, are listed in the 24 points that form the heart of Ben Ali's campaign for re-election.
But the average Tunisian need not be familiar with such statistics and terminology to know, and feel, the positive effects of over two decades of Ben Ali's rule.
The people can see this in the continuous improvements to their everyday lives. And that's what they'll be thinking of when they go to the ballot box this Sunday.
"Together we meet challenges" Ben Ali's campaign reads. My friend insists on her favourite modification: Together we weather all storms.
Dr Haitham El-Zobaidi, Editor of Middle East Online.
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