Erstellt am: 24. 10. 2011 - 14:03 Uhr

A historic day in Tunisia

Reality Check: Euro summit, Turkey earthquake, Tunisia elections, Gaddafi's death, the cost of the Arab Spring

After all the sacrifices, upheavals, violence, chaos and uncertainties that have surrounded the countries of the Arab Spring, it's good to see some very concrete positive news coming out of the first country to topple its dictator. Yesterday, Tunisians voted in the first free election in their history, and they were thrilled about it. Turnout was estimated to be as high as 90% in some regions, and while there was hugh enthusiasm at the polls, no one seems too bothered about the results - it's the process that counts.

This wasn't an election in the usual sense. People weren't choosing a long term government, but rather electing the representatives who will oversee the setting up of a constitution and the institutions necessary for proper elections to be held late next year. A traditional Islamic party will most likely take around 30% of yesterday's vote or a little more, so a coalition will have to be formed with secular and left wing parties, ensuring a good spread of voices in the new provisional administration.

There is, of course, still a long way to go. Ben Ali may be gone, but much of his legacy of repression and corruption remains. However, Tunisians seem to be pulling together in a united effort to get their country established as a modern democracy - and just as they had the first revolution of the Arab Spring, maybe they will also have the first successful transition.

Steve Crilley spoke to Patrick Smith of Africa Confidential about the importance of this vote for the future of Tunisia.

EU summit makes little progress

Although EU leaders managed to find agreement on a strategy to deal with the Euro crisis, most analysts agree that far more drastic and decisive action is needed. Vanessa Mock told Steve Crilley about the events at the summit, and the remaining uncertainties over the future.

Turkey Earthquake

Rescue workers in Turkey are desperately searching for survivors after a deadly earthquake hit the remote region of Van.

Joe Lowry of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in Europe told Joanna Bostock about the rescue operations and how well Turkey is equipped to deal with the disaster.

Who shot Gaddafi?

As Libyans celebrate the death of a tyrant, international concern is growing that what appears to have been a summary execution of the former leader may go uninvestigated. Rupert Colville of the UN High Commission for Human Rights and Tom Malinowski of Human Rights Watch explain why it is vital for the future of the country that Gaddafi's death should receive due process.

The Cost of the Arab Spring

The political risk consultancy Geopolicity estimated the financial impact of the revolts in Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, Syria, Yemen and Bahrain in their report "The Cost of the Arab Spring". One of the authors of the study, Claire Hajaj, told Riem Higazi about the economic winners and losers from the political upheaval that has swept the region.

FM4 Reality Check

Monday to Friday from 12 to 14, and after the show via Podcast or fm4.orf.at/realitycheck.