Opposition Parties Consider Joining New Government

Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali (center) meets with political leaders (Courtesy of the PM Jebali’s official Facebook page)

The day after Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali announced his resignation, the names of different political parties and politicians that may join the new government are being floated by political insiders.

Rached Ghannouchi, founder of the ruling Ennahdha party, told Tunisian radio Mosaique FM Wednesday that his party is currently consulting with several political parties about the possibility of taking part in the new government.

“We are consulting with Al Joumhouri and every political party, which belong to the revolution,” he said.

In a meeting Wednesday with representatives from different political parties such as Al Massar, President Moncef Marzouki proposed that some of its leaders join the government that is to be formed.

According to Mosaique FM, Fadhel Moussa, a National Constituent Assembly (NCA) member affiliated with Al Massar, stated that the party could not respond to Marzouki’s proposal before discussing the matter with the other parties in its opposition coalition.

Nacer Brahmi, an NCA member affiliated with Wafa Movement, told Tunisia Live that Ennahdha has proposed that three political entities – the Congress for Republic, the Freedom and Dignity bloc, and Wafa Movement – join the new government.

Wafa Movement has established three conditions before joining a new government. The terms include reforming the errors made by Ennahdha, responding to urgent issues such as rising living costs and unemployment, and eliminating corruption.

While Jebali dismissed in his Tuesday speech the idea that the failure of his initiative to create a technocratic government meant a failure for Tunisia’s political process, others believe that his resignation will not help improve the current political situation.

“It will bring the country back to the starting point,” said Samir Bettaieb, spokesperson of Al Massar.

Opposition party Nidaa Tounes has placed blame squarely on Ennahdha for the failure of Jebali’s proposal to create a nonpartisan, technocratic government.

Ameur Laarayedh, president of Ennahdha’s political bureau, told Mosaique FM that the ruling party is trying to convince Jebali to head the new government.