The MSM is going out of its way to describe Tunisia’s Ennahda as a “moderate Islamist” party, as if there is such a thing as a moderate Islamist.

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tunisia’s moderate Islamist party Ennahda, banned for decades, emerged the official victor in the nation’s first free elections, taking 41.47 percent of the vote and 90 of 217 seats in an assembly that will write a new constitution, the electoral commission announced Thursday.

The announcement of final results in Sunday’s landmark voting capped an ebullient period for this small North African country, which inspired the Arab Spring as it moves toward democracy after more than a half-century under one-party systems.

Ennahda’s leading role in fashioning a new Tunisia was evident shortly after the vote. However, electoral authorities had said they were slow in announcing full results because they were taking care with counting and verifying.

Officials of the party have said they are seeking a broad-based coalition government to replace the interim team in charge of this small North African nation since protests forced President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to flee in January. He took refuge in Saudi Arabia.

Ennahda has also vowed to wary Tunisians that democratic liberties such as gender equality will be respected in line with Muslim Tunisia’s strong secular tradition.