Tunisian Speaker Rached Ghannouchi has urged political parties from across the political spectrum for calm before a parliamentary session scheduled for Wednesday.
The Speaker told Tuesday's general session that after the successful democratic and political transition in Tunisia, it is necessary to address the needs of the society’s marginalized groups to achieve much-needed development.
The opposition parties, namely Free Destourian Party, wants to include a vote in Wednesday’s session to withdraw confidence from Ghannouchi over his blunders in joining regional axes.
However, Ennahda movement, which is headed by Ghannouchi, describes the session as a call to “discuss the limit of parliamentary diplomacy.”
Ghannouchi is criticized for his recent phone call with head of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez al-Sarraj to congratulate him on capturing al-Watiya military airbase.
The Secretary-General of Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT) Noureddine Taboubi said that the real crisis in the country is the lack of trust between the authority and the people.
During the inauguration of the Union’s executive office, Taboubi criticized the country’s weak social structure in light of the coronavirus outbreak.
He described the government of Elyes Fakhfakh as “an austerity cabinet” that will harm the most vulnerable social classes.
Taboubi stated that official data on the economic situation in Tunisia “has nothing to do with reality”, because the actual figures are very shocking.
During his recent meeting with PM Fakhfakh, Taboubi urged the cabinet to reveal the truth to Tunisians.
Ruling coalition parties have succeeded in formulating a unified stance before Wednesday’s parliament session, announcing that they reject all forms of chaos and attempts to jeopardize political stability.
Head of the Democratic Current Party Hisham al-Ajbouni said that withdrawing confidence from the speaker is not possible and that his party’s rapprochement with the Free Destourian is unlikely.
The Democratic Current has 41 votes in the parliament and brings together parties like the People's Movement, and some independent figures.
The head of Tahya Tounes bloc, Mustafa bin Ahmed, denied coordinating with the Free Destourian on withdrawing confidence from Ghannouchi.
He pointed out that the parliamentary bloc will also address Tunisia’s international relations, referring to Ghannouchi’s visit to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the phone call with Sarraj.
Ennahda movement hinted that it might call for a government reshuffle and expand the ruling coalition.
Bin Ahmed described the government coalition as “fragile,” saying it hasn’t been able to achieve harmony.
