Prime Minister of Tunisia
Zine El Abidine Ben Ali became prime minister of Tunisia.
Role range: 1987-1987 – 1987-1987
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Zine El Abidine Ben Ali Biography and Timeline
Follow Zine El Abidine Ben Ali through 22 dated historical records for Tunisia.
Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
22Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1987–2011Years on this page
1987
Change of President
Zine El Abidine Ben Ali assumed the presidency after Habib Bourguiba was declared medically unfit.
Role range: 1987-2011 – 1987-2011
1988
Constitutional Amendment
A constitutional amendment revised presidential succession and removed the presidency-for-life provision.
Role range: 1987-2011 – 1987-2011
National Pact
Political and social organizations signed a National Pact setting principles for public life.
Role range: 1987-2011 – 1987-2011
Constitution of Tunisia
Announces democratic changes to Tunisias constitution
Diplomatic relations with Libya are restored
Diplomatic relations with Libya are restored
1989
Legislative Election
Tunisia held a legislative election in which the governing Constitutional Democratic Rally won every seat.
Role range: 1987-2011 – 1987-2011
Presidential Election
Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was elected president in the first presidential election after the 1987 transition.
Role range: 1987-2011 – 1987-2011
Election
The Government party, RCD, winsa all the Assembly seats in the general election
1991
Alliance Tunisia and partner not stated in source
Opposes US action during the Gulf War
Role range: 1990-1991
1994
Legislative Election
Tunisia held legislative elections that introduced a limited allocation of seats to opposition parties.
Role range: 1987-2011 – 1987-2011
Presidential Election
Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was re-elected president without an opposing candidate.
Role range: 1987-2011 – 1987-2011
President of Tunisia
Appointed President of Tunisia, 2nd term
Role range: 1994-
Election
The Government party, RCD, wins the general election
Role range: 1990-1991
1999
Legislative Election
Tunisia held legislative elections alongside the presidential election.
Role range: 1987-2011 – 1987-2011
Presidential Election
Zine El Abidine Ben Ali won a presidential election contested by more than one candidate.
Role range: 1987-2011 – 1987-2011
2002
Constitutional Referendum
Voters approved constitutional changes affecting presidential terms and the structure of parliament.
Role range: 1987-2011 – 1987-2011
2004
Legislative Election
Tunisia held legislative elections in which the governing party retained a large majority.
Role range: 1987-2011 – 1987-2011
Presidential Election
Zine El Abidine Ben Ali won another presidential term.
Role range: 1987-2011 – 1987-2011
2009
Legislative Election
Tunisia held legislative elections alongside the presidential vote.
Role range: 1987-2011 – 1987-2011
Presidential Election
Zine El Abidine Ben Ali won a fifth presidential term.
Role range: 1987-2011 – 1987-2011
2011
Departure of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali
Zine El Abidine Ben Ali left Tunisia as protests ended his presidency.
Role range: 1987-2011 – 1987-2011
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.