First Quarrels Arise in Tunisia’s Newly Formed Coalition

The first cracks may be starting to appear in Tunisia’s newly formed post-electoral coalition – composed of Ettakatol, Congress for the Republic (CPR), and Ennahda. Congress for the Republic (CPR) and Ettakatol have expressed dissatisfaction with Ennahda, who has won a plurality of seats in the recent Constituent Assembly elections.

The two parties claim that Ennahda is imposing its will with a new form of legislation that looks to implement special rules for the Assembly’s operations as it drafts a new constitution.

A commission was charged to examine the bill, and once the commission launched its primary activities, the lack of agreement between the three parties became apparent. Concerns were raised regarding different points such as Ennahda’s attempt to tip the scales in favor of instituting a parliamentary system. The CPR has expressed its reservations against many other clauses in the bill’s text.

Further, the initial text of the legislation, also known as the “short constitution,” was drafted by Ennahda, and the position of the President of the Republic – expected to be held by CPR’s Moncef Marzouki – remains honorary. Because of this, some members of the Assembly are beginning to fear an opinion monopoly by Ennahda.  Indeed, they question the possibility of Ennahda acquiring and retaining ultimate repository of power throughout the Assembly’s operations, dominating discussions and options.

According to some dissatisfied observers, Ennahda must either be more accepting of its partners’ different opinions and be more open to amendments, or witness the collapse of the coalition.

Source: Le Quotidien