Tunisian Al-Nahda Agrees to Join Coalition Gov’t

Local Editor

Party leaders announced that Tunisia's moderate party al-Nahda agreed to join its main rival secular party Nidaa Tunis in a coalition government.

The agreement could bolster stability in Tunisia, which is just emerging from its transition to full democracy four years after the uprising that ousted dictator Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali.

Based on the report, the deal came after Tunisian Prime Minister-designate Habib Essid's new cabinet faced a threat of rejection in parliament from key parties, including al-Nahda, because they opposed his choice of ministers. The prime minister had announced a government without any cabinet posts for moderate parties.

Other al-Nahda members criticized Essid cabinet line-up due to lack of "a clear program" and "national consensus."

Representatives from the leftist Popular Front also rejected the new cabinet partly because it contained former officials from Ben Ali's regime, some of whom they said were suspected of corruption in the past.
They also underlined the tough task Essid faces in tackling essential economic reforms, even if his cabinet managed to win a confirmation vote in parliament.

Despite tensions and a political crisis that almost ended its transition, Tunisian politics has been dominated by compromises between secular and the party leaders to help keep the North African country on track.
Hence, Rached Ghannouchi, head of al-Nahda, told reporters after meeting with Essid, without giving more details: "Al-Nahda will participate in the government... the future looks good".

The premier would likely announce his new cabinet before it goes to parliament for ratification on Wednesday.

According to the leader of liberal Afek Tunis party, Yassin Brahim, the new government would include Nidaa Tunis, Afek Tunis, ULP party and al-Nahda.
Two party sources declared al-Nahda, would provide two cabinet ministers and two state ministers in the new government.

Nidaa Tunis won the most seats in the October election, which was one of the last steps in Tunisia's path to full democracy after its 2011 popular uprising. Party leader Beji Caid Essebsi also won the presidency.
Al-Nahda, with the second largest number of seats in the assembly, sought a unity government.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team