Nidaa Tounes, which was founded by Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi mid-2012, and Ennahda Movement would never reunite in an alliance, Nidaa Tounes official Boudjemaa Remili said.
He accused Ennahda of “opportunism,” especially in its support for Prime Minister Youssef Chahed against the President, saying it was “impossible” for the two parties to renew their alliance.
In his remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Remili said a preparatory commission is committed to the success of the party’s first electoral congress scheduled to be held next month.
“Committee members are neutral and stand at an equal distance from all competing sides” within the party.
He downplayed criticism against Nidaa Tounes’ executive director, Hafez Essebsi, who is the President's son, and called on party members for an active participation in the preparations for the congress, and urged them to choose whoever they see capable of leading them and of competing with the rest of political parties that will file candidates for the presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for the end of 2019.
Regarding Tahia Tounes that has been established by Hafez Essebsi’s rivals, Remili said the party - an alliance of some Nidaa Tounes members and Ennahda - is not likely to survive.
He added that Tahia Tounes will soon disappear from Tunisia’s political scene for lacking strong foundations set by Ennahda and PM Chahed.
The Tunisian official also criticized Ennahda’s propaganda on the “government’s stability.”
On the other hand, he said a merger between the Free Patriotic Union, led by businessman Salim al-Riahi, and Nidaa Tounes was aimed at “strengthening Nidaa Tounes’ parliamentary bloc.”
He was referring to sharp political differences between the party's rival sides, Chahed and Hafez Essebsi, who has called for a cabinet reshuffle.
