EN
Tunisia regained its independence in 1956. The first president became Habib Bourguiba. On 7th November 1987 he was replaced by the then Prime Minister Zine Al-Abidin Ben Ali. After 23 years of being the head of state he fled to Saudi Arabia. His political career has been ended on 14th January 2011. It was a turning point for the Tunisian state. Abdication of Ben Ali has also brought changes in the Franco-Tunisian relations. The French authorities has been supporting Ben Ali so far, adopting a highly restrained position against repressive government and human rights violations. Shortly after escaping of Ben Ali, French authorities admitted that they made a mistake - they were being passive towards the Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia. Immediate support for Tunisia was given by the European Union, which participated actively in carried out in Tunisia's first free and democratic elections.