Jacob Lellouche, the only Jewish candidate who ran in the Tunisian elections, claimed victory on Tuesday despite failing to win a seat in parliament.
The restaurant owner-cum-politician said he achieved his goal by showing his countrymen that non-Muslims can take part in the country's first democratically held elections.
“I succeeded because now the people know you can come from a minority and still be involved in politics,” he said over the phone from Tunis. “I accomplished my mission.”
He said the Union, Popular and Republican Party which placed him second on its list of candidates did not come close to entering parliament, according to unofficial reports.