(3 minutes read)
· Thousands of Tunisians rallying under main parliamentary bloc –Ennahdha – held a demonstration to press their demand for better governance and support for the government
· The Islamist-inspired Ennahdha and liberal Qalb Tounes parties pushed for a reshuffling of the government by Prime minister Hichem Mechichi in mid-January, which led to swearing in 11 new ministers
· The protesters are in support of the moderate Islamist party as well as for unity and democracy. Ennahdha head Rached Ghannouchi, while speaking to the protesters called for a dialogue and unity among political forces
Thousands of Tunisians rallying under main parliamentary bloc –Ennahdha – held a demonstration to press their demand for better governance and support for the government. The Islamist-inspired Ennahdha and liberal Qalb Tounes parties pushed for a reshuffling of the government by Prime minister Hichem Mechichi in mid-January, which led to swearing in 11 new ministers.
President Kais Saied has strongly criticized the reshuffle telling that he had not been consulted for the reshuffle and induction of the new ministers and charged that some ministers were suspected of corruption and conflicts of interest. He came in the way of confirming the ministers including interior, justice and health, leaving the government almost paralyzed. Tunisia is already undergoing a traumatic economic trajectory, which got convoluted due to coronavirus pandemic.
Saturday’s protest in the capital Tunis was called by Ennahdha. The protesters are in support of the moderate Islamist party as well as for unity and democracy. Ennahdha head Rached Ghannouchi, while speaking to the protesters called for a dialogue and unity among political forces.
Saied, a constitutional law expert, has criticized the procedure for naming the new ministers, saying it was unconstitutional. However, Tunisia’s Constitution does not require parliamentary approval for regular reshuffles. But in the absence of a Constitutional Court in Tunisia, the political crisis has dragged on for six weeks. The solution to this vexatious issue is still not in sight.
According to report published recently by the International Monetary Fund, the Covid-19 crisis was exacerbating Tunisia’s socio-economic fragilities, leading to an unprecedented economic downturn. The multilateral bank has called for urgent reforms to reduce the fiscal deficit, limiting energy subsidies and lowering the wage bill.
