Hechmi Hamdi is a Tunisian journalist, media entrepreneur, owner of Almustakillah Satellite Channel – broadcasting from London since 1999 – and politician from Sidi Bouzid who now lives in London. Hamdi was a member of the Islamist Ennahda Movement before he defected, due to a disagreement with its leader Rashid Ghannouchi. He founded the Popular Petition Party, which later surprisingly came in second place in the October 2011 elections.

After the revolution, Hamdi declared his intention to run for president, but then suddenly announced his withdrawal from political life.

Hechmi Hamdi is a Tunisian journalist, media entrepreneur, owner of Almustakillah Satellite Channel – broadcasting from London since 1999 – and politician from Sidi Bouzid who now lives in London. Hamdi was a member of the Islamist Ennahda Movement before he defected, due to a disagreement with its leader Rashid Ghannouchi. He founded the Popular Petition Party, which later surprisingly came in second place in the October 2011 elections.

After the revolution, Hamdi declared his intention to run for president, but then suddenly announced his withdrawal from political life.

Mr. Hamdi, how would you describe your previous experience with Ennahda?

It is like an old memory or a persistent, long exile, despite its lingering effects.

Rashid Ghannouchi used to say you were the “future of the movement.”

I do not want to talk about the past. I believe that life is better outside complex doctrinal organizations.

You have recently announced your intention to withdraw from political life, why?

I have endured a great deal of injustice in the past two years despite my honorable results at the National Constituent Assembly elections in October 2011. I have suffered deliberate media and political exclusion in addition to an unprecedented and immoral attack on the Popular Petition votes and seats in the NCA. The injustice I experienced after the revolution was far more bitter than a quarter of a century of exile, since not a single article or political statement has criticized this injustice. The Tunisian political scene is simply a jungle where wolves live in great luxury. Thank God I quit it.

Some observers believe that your withdrawal is merely a political maneuver for a comeback.

I despise maneuvers and I am not even good at them. I am honest and serious about my decision; it is wiser for me to quit this jungle.

Have you given up your dream to run for presidency?

It was never my dream to become President of Tunisia as it would only result in more responsibilities and risks. I am not looking for fortune, prestige or fame since I have what I need and I do not want more. All I wanted was to serve my country and its people and I developed the Popular Petition program to improve the lives of the poor, but I was met with insults, injustice, exclusion and indescribable hatred under the silence of Tunisian community. Therefore, I have decided to put all my political aspirations behind.

Would you consider giving up your British citizenship to run for president?

Yes, if presidency had been my intent. I offered a compromise which was to grant Tunisians of dual nationality the right to candidacy where they give up their other nationality upon winning. However, my opponents refused my suggestion, motivated by their wish to exclude me from political life, and they have achieved their desire.

I will not fight for the presidency. Prophet Muhammad forbade seeking presidency. I submitted the popular petition on March 3, 2011 at the request of a large number of Tunisians. They asked me to run for presidency and serve the country. I did not introduce myself as a party, but as a citizen wishing to serve his country. Being a party member is not a requirement to practice politics and numerous people supported me, but professional wolves of politics have excluded me.

If the Tunisian people wanted me to serve them through the popular petition program, I would do my duty. But, if politicians objected, it would be clear that they only aspire for presidency and power regardless of all morals, principles and slogans they call for.

Your recent election campaign was focused on attacking Ennahda.

My campaign was focused on providing free health insurance for the poor and the allocation of less than one billion dollars as a monthly grant to half a million unemployed. All I aspired for was to serve the poor of my country, but I was faced with objection.

You said you had much to reveal about Ennahda’s past and present?

After leaving politics, I will go back to journalism where I will exert more efforts to free Islamic thought from the remnants of sectarian differences and reveal the truth about monotheism as a mainstay for human freedom. I will celebrate poetry and call for Arab solidarity, social justice and human rights. As for politics, it is a time of my life that I want to leave behind.

Tunisia today is witnessing a real terrorist threat following the terrorist events in Jebel ech Chambi. Who do you believe is responsible?

The climate of hatred and exclusion and the law of the jungle prevailing in the Tunisian arena are responsible. I have always said Tunisia is not adequate for doctrinal political extremism – whether right or left – and that national reconciliation is a duty, and unity and the country’s interest over partisan one is a must, as we must formulate a government of national competencies that lead the country until the elections. But, I have been objected and excluded of course.

What do you think of the candidates for the presidency?

I would respond with a question: Have you heard any of them denouncing the injustice and exclusion I have suffered? Have any of them expressed, even in courtesy, his regret for dissolving the Popular Petition, or denounced the attack on its parliamentary bloc and preventing its televised statement? None of them uttered a single word, meaning “By their fruits you shall know them.”

Who would you believe would make an adequate president if not you?

It is he who would denounce the exclusion, injustice and hatred suffered by the popular petition.