The liberal opposition Afek Tounes party called on Tunisian parties, that refuse to ally themselves with the Ennahda movement, to form a political coalition that could topple the Islamist movement and defeat it in upcoming parliamentary elections.
Afek Tounes stressed the need to sign a political agreement during this period to act as a moral commitment towards the people to rebuild confidence in the democratic process in Tunisia.
The party, led by former minister of development Yassine Brahim, said the agreement would be the first step towards a political alliance for the post-2019 period based on a joint government working document that details the precise programs and economic and social reforms that will be completed before any future cabinet is formed.
Afek Tounes came fifth in the 2014 parliamentary elections, winning only eight seats. It was part of the ruling coalition that was led by the Nidaa Tounes and Ennahda parties.
Moreover, Afek Tounes warned against using government platforms for partisan purposes, referring to how parties are encroaching on the government of Prime Minister Youssef Chahed.
Separately, Ennahda Vice President Ali al-Areed said that his movement has not yet taken a position from the announcement by former Ennahda member Hammadi Jabali to run for president.
Areed said the movement will consider supporting a candidate from Ennahda or from outside the movement after the nomination window closes.
On political alliances that are formed before the polls, most notably Afek Tounes’ call for a coalition to counter Ennahda, he said many “circumstantial” partisan and civil alliances that are established break up immediately after the vote.
Meanwhile, the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT) called on its supporters to run in the parliamentary elections. It also called for the formation of committees to monitor all stages of the elections and determine the list of participants.
UGTT President Noureddine Taboubi stressed that Tunisia will work to form a political and societal scene that differs from the current reality.
Tunisia will hold parliamentary elections on October 6 and presidential elections starting November 10.
