Troika Announces Imminent Cabinet Shuffle

President Moncef Marzouki and Prime Minster Hamadi Jebali (front and center) stand alongside the full ministerial cabinet.

Sources within the ruling Troika coalition and the political opposition told Tunisia Live that a potential cabinet shuffle is to be announced soon.

Mohammed Bennour, spokesperson of the Troika’s Ettakatol party, confirmed that the shuffle would happen soon, yet did not specify the exact date nor the names of candidates for the cabinet opening. “Everything that was said about the date of the change or the ministerial nominations are just speculations. The Prime Minister is the only one to decide when this change will take place or which minister is to be shuffled,” said Bennour.

This cabinet shuffle is supposed to carry a “positive message to all parts, and should add more credibility as well as boost the government’s efforts,” he continued.

Zoubair Shhoudi, an Ennahdha press officer, added, “The shuffle is open. All scenarios are possible.”

Samir Bettaieb, a member of the opposition party Al Massar, told Tunisia Live that the Troika asked the opposition to participate in discussions over the cabinet shuffle and even present its own candidate for the opening. Nevertheless, the latter rejected the offer.

According to Bettaieb, the goal of the opposition, which also includes Al Joumhouri party, is to neutralize the ministries of justice, interior, and foreign affairs. He added that it does not make sense for the opposition to join the government months before the upcoming elections. The opposition’s main goal from the beginning was to form a government of technocrats, which was refused by the Troika, stated Bettaieb.