Tunisia’s Nidaa Tounes party leaders threatened to withdraw partisan ministers from the national cabinet headed by Youssef Chahed following his refusal to heed partisan requests for resignation.
President Beji Caid Essebsi’s son, Hafedh Caid Essebsi, who is leader of the ruling Nidaa Tounes party, called last May for Chahed’s dismissal because of his government’s failure to revive the economy. His call was supported by the powerful UGTT union, which rejected economic reforms proposed by the prime minister.
Essebsi also called on Prime Minister Chahed to resign or seek a confidence quote if the country’s political and economic crisis continues, withdrawing his support for the premier, who has clashed with his son.
The Tunisian government fell into crisis since last week following a full suspension of political discussions after dispute erupting on the future of the Chahed government in power.
The Chahed Cabinet, declared on 20 August 2016, is the 29th government of the Tunisian Republic.
Nidaa Tounes leaders’ warning of pulling out of government follows accusations Chahed directed against party leaders of being responsible for a decline in public support for the current party, which led to a loss in votes during recent municipal elections.
Chahed accused Nidaa Tounes party leaders of dismantling at the party from within.
On 6 August 2016, after Prime Minister Habib Essid overwhelmingly lost a confidence vote in parliament, Chahed was nominated by the Nidaa Tounes party to succeed Essid as Prime Minister.
“The possibility of removing Nidaa Tounes ministers from the Chahed Cabinet remains one of the possible measures,” said Burhan Besis, who is in charge of the party’s political affairs.
“What is happening today brings the country closer to collapse.”
Besis went on to blame several political and social parties for not appreciating the danger looming over Tunisia, calling for the immediate halt of all political extortion in exchange for stabilizing the country’s future.
On rumors that Chahed will once again emerge as party candidate for 2019 elections, Besis said that candidacy would be settled during the upcoming party conference.
In the event of a mass party pullout, a major political imbalance will be created. According to constitutional law experts, it will be possible to call for early parliamentary elections or, at the very least, to form an interim national rescue government that may not be supervised by Chahed.
The political bureau of the Ennahda Movement has suggested introducing a minor ministerial reshuffle and persuading the Chahed Cabinet not to stand for the 2019 elections to overcome the political crisis in the country.
However, Ennahda recognized that managing such a solution is difficult.
