Speculations About the Composition of the New Government

Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali has recently stated that the composition of the new government will be announced by the beginning of next week. However, recent leaks have revealed the names of a number of coalition members who may potentially serve in the upcoming cabinet.

The leaked information has indicated the creation of new ministries. The Congress for the Republic party’s (CPR) Mohamed Abbou is expected to head the newly created Minstry of Administrative Development. Ennahdha’s, the center-right Islamist party, leading figure, Riadh Bettaib, is speculated to have been chosen as the Minister of Investment for Development. Khayam Turki, from Ettakatol, is presumed to be Tunisia’s next Minister of Finance.

The Ministry of Interior, a crucial department given the current domestic unrest, has been divided into two ministries. The leadership of the Ministry is expected to be shared between Habib Essid, who served under the Ben Ali regime and in Beji Caid Essebssi‘s government, and Ali Laarayedh from Ennahdha.

A number of women are also present in the new government. The Ministries of Women’s Affairs and Environment are speculated to be held by Siham Badri and Mamiya El Banna respectively. Chahida Ben Fraj, Hanen Mkadem, and Lobna Jribi are also presumed to occupy various state secretarial positions within different ministries.

Tarek Dhiab, previously a famous Tunisian football player, is expected to become the Minister of Sports.

It has also been reported that Abdelfatteh Mourou, head of the independent list, “Tariq Assalama,” which did not win any seats in the Constituent Assembly, has been appointed as the legal counselor for the new government.

The Tunisian National TV announced that Mustapha Kamel Nabli will remain the governor of the Central Bank. This decision comes after intensive debate in the Constituent Assembly regarding the independence of the Central Bank. An article was eventually passed within the mini-constitution to grant the Bank its independence with stipulations added to regulate its mechanisms.

The potential composition of the new government is a reflection of the current political dynamics within the Assembly. However, the release of this information is unofficial, and the details have yet to be substantiated.