Conflict of Interest Haunts Tunisia’s PM

Tunisia's Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh speaks during a handover ceremony in Tunis, Tunisia February 28, 2020. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi
Tunisia's Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh speaks during a handover ceremony in Tunis, Tunisia February 28, 2020. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi
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Conflict of Interest Haunts Tunisia’s PM

Tunisia's Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh speaks during a handover ceremony in Tunis, Tunisia February 28, 2020. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi
Tunisia's Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh speaks during a handover ceremony in Tunis, Tunisia February 28, 2020. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi

Tunisian Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh faces accusations of exploiting his position in government to achieve personal gains as the parliament is gearing up to grill him in a plenary session.

Local dailies dealt with a scandal known as the ‘Fakhfakh Gate’, after documents were leaked exposing the PM committed a grave violation.

A wave of accusations targeted Fakhfakh after it was revealed that he is a shareholder in a private company which won a public tender.

This forced the PM to abandon his shares in the company, but his move wasn’t seen enough because it had already won a bid worth $15.4 million.

Despite that Fakhfakh had relinquished his shares in all companies dealing with the state because it places him at a conflict of interest, calls for holding him accountable persisted. The opposition and some political parties are calling for investigation into how Fakhfakh had benefited from those dealings.

Democratic bloc lawmaker Nabil Hajji demanded that the premier resigns should there be evidence that he personally benefited from his place in government and that he violated the law.

Hajji called for the counter corruption committee in parliament to open an investigation into the matter.

Independent lawmaker Yassine al-Ayari published a document showing that Fakhfakh is a capital investor in a company that won two government bids.

Ayari wrote to Mohammed Abbou, the state minister responsible for counter corruption, questioning about the conflict of interest and illicit enrichment Fakhfakh is being tied to.

Abbou, for his part, ordered assigning a competent supervisory body to investigate the charges against the prime minister and to extend a report to parliament as soon as possible. He also ordered a copy of all contracts signed with companies involving Fakhfakh.

Ayari stressed that the law requires the prime minister to give up any other responsibility before assuming his official duties, and to instruct others to dispose of his shares, within a maximum period of 60 days after he assumed office.



Lebanon Sends Message of Confidence with First Local Elections

A Lebanese man casts his ballot during the Municipal elections at a polling station in Deir El Qamar, in the Chouf District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, 04 May 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
A Lebanese man casts his ballot during the Municipal elections at a polling station in Deir El Qamar, in the Chouf District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, 04 May 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
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Lebanon Sends Message of Confidence with First Local Elections

A Lebanese man casts his ballot during the Municipal elections at a polling station in Deir El Qamar, in the Chouf District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, 04 May 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
A Lebanese man casts his ballot during the Municipal elections at a polling station in Deir El Qamar, in the Chouf District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, 04 May 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

Lebanon completed the first phase of its municipal and mayoral elections on Sunday, in a vote overseen by political and security authorities and hailed by officials as transparent.

The polls mark the country’s first electoral process under President Joseph Aoun, who sought to reassure voters that “the state is serious about safeguarding their right to express their views through the ballot box.”

Aoun described the vote’s integrity as a “message of trust to the world that Lebanon is beginning to recover, rebuild its institutions, and is now on the right track.”

Sunday’s vote covered Mount Lebanon province, the most populous region in the country.

The area includes a mix of religious and political affiliations, including Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold heavily damaged during Israel’s bombardment in the latest war on Lebanon.

Aoun made a field visit on Sunday to oversee Lebanon’s first municipal and mayoral elections since 2016, following years of delays caused by the country’s prolonged political and economic crises.

The president began his tour at the Ministry of Interior, where he met with Interior Minister Ahmed Al-Hajjar and Justice Minister Adel Nassar. The discussions focused on measures in place to safeguard the electoral process from any security or legal disruptions.

Both ministers assured the president of their full preparedness to address any challenges that may arise during the first phase of the vote, held in Mount Lebanon province.

Speaking to staff in the central operations room, Aoun called for “active and serious efforts” to ensure a smooth electoral process and to reassure citizens that the state is committed to protecting their right to vote freely.

He also urged voters to participate in large numbers and resist pressures based on sectarian, political or financial influences. “Do not let sectarian, partisan, or monetary factors sway your choice,” Aoun said.

Local elections were held across the districts of Jbeil, Keserwan, Metn, Aley, Baabda, and Chouf - areas where family and clan loyalties often outweigh political or sectarian affiliations in Lebanon’s complex electoral landscape.

As of late afternoon, with three hours remaining before polls closed, the Interior Ministry reported varying voter turnout rates across Mount Lebanon province.

Keserwan led with more than 53% turnout, followed by Jbeil nearing 50%. Aley registered 36.66%, Chouf 38%, Baabda 33.11%, and Northern Metn around 33%.