Tunisia leads way three years into Arab Spring
As the third anniversary of the Arab Spring draws close, it's time to examine Tunisia's political evolution as a study in reconciliation.
As the third anniversary of the Arab Spring approaches, Tunisia, where it started, is in the process of bringing its new regime into a paradigm, possibly to be emulated by those who were inspired by the revolution there three years ago.
In the last few weeks, Tunisia was able to bring about a government led temporarily by technocrats, the Ennahda Islamic group. In addition, Prime Minister Ali Larayedh resigned Jan. 9 to facilitate and expedite the goal of completing a new constitution. These are two major factors contributing to restoring, if not the inspiration of the Arab Spring, at least a revived model to be emulated.
What facilitated this positive correction of Tunisia's political path was the realism of Ennahda founder Rachid Ghannouchi and Beji Caid Essebsi, the elder statesman of the liberal and secular forces in Tunisia. The catalyst that rendered the reconciliation possible was the intervention of the strong trade-union movement that negotiated the preliminary stages of the agreement.
This is more than a compromise; it was a much-needed reconciliation.
