Habib Bourguiba, Ben Ali (Bourguiba Habib Ben)

(1903-2000)
Born August 3, 1903 in Monastir. He studied in Tunis and the Sorbonne, where he received degrees in psychology and law. When he returned to Tunisia in 1927, engaged in law practice and joined the party dusturi ( 'Constitution'), became an active participant in the movement for independence. The Congress Party in Ksar Hellale in 1933 led to a split and the formation of the radical New Party dusturi ( 'new constitution'), headed by Bourguiba. In the period between 1934 and 1955, Bourguiba spent more than ten years in prison and exile for two years was in solitary confinement. 1 June 1955 he returned to Tunis, signed an agreement with France on the introduction of self-rule in Tunisia. April 10, 1956 Bourguiba became the first Prime Minister of independent Tunisia. In July 1957 the National Constituent Assembly abolished the monarchy, and the Bourguiba became the head of the republic. In 1959, after the entry into force of the Constitution, was elected president, was re-elected to that post in 1964 and 1969.
During the 1960-1970-ies Bourguiba persistently strengthen the system of state power. In 1963, banned all political parties except the pro-government party dusturi, in early 1970 was cleaning in the government. In 1975 Bourguiba was declared president for life.

In the early 1980 Bourguiba legalized opposition political parties, but took advantage of gaining momentum pro-Iranian Islamic fundamentalist wing. President brutally cracked down on the conspirators, repression also affected the secular opposition. In November 1987, Bourguiba was ousted and placed under house arrest. Died Bourguiba in Monastir April 6, 2000.