How the new government plans to save Tunisia
Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi has tapped Nidaa Tunis leader Youssef Chahed to form a unity government that will focus on terrorism, corruption and Tunisia's deteriorating economy.
The Tunisian Parliament is getting ready to vote for confidence in the new government before Sept. 1, the legal deadline set for the government's formation under the Tunisian Constitution. On Aug. 3, President Beji Caid Essebsi appointed the leader of the ruling Nidaa Tunis, Youssef Chahed, to form a new national unity government after the parliament withdrew confidence from the former government led by Habib Essid on July 30, under accusations of inefficiency.
Essebsi launched an initiative during a June 2 interview on state television “to form a national unity government whose priorities include the war on terrorism and corruption and the entrenchment of democracy.” The government is to include parties and unions, unlike the deposed one, which was formed by four parties in the parliament: Nidaa Tunis, to which Essebsi belongs; the Islamist Ennahda; and two liberal parties, the Free Patriotic Union and Afek Tounes.
The new government will face major security and economic challenges, in addition to having to deal with corruption.
On July 13, the Tunisian presidency published the text of the initiative, called the “Carthage Document,” which includes the outline of the potential government’s work schedule.
