Ennahda Nominates Ghannouchi to Head the Next Tunisian Government

Arab World

November 2nd, 10:26am

Tunis - Mongi Saidani

FILE PHOTO: Rached Ghannouchi, head of the Ennahda party, casts his vote at a polling station for the municipal election in Tunis, Tunisia, May 6, 2018. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi/File Photo

Ennahda spokesman Imad al-Khamiri has confirmed that the party’s only nominee for the premiership was Rached Ghannouchi. At a press conference he held on Friday, Khamiri denied the existence of a candidate from outside Ennahda leadership to head the government, explaining that the party preferred to start the debate on the future government’s program and its nature. Merging some ministries was one of the topics discussed. Khamiri said that consultations with the parties that will form the next parliament are continuing and will lead to the formation of a government within the constitutional deadlines. He reiterated that the prime minister would be from within the movement, which has won 52 of the 217 parliamentary seats, while parties in the ongoing consultations say they will not be part of an Ennahda-led cabinet and demand that the new prime minister be assigned to an independent figure. Regarding the chances of a government formation proposed by Ennahda obtaining a confidence vote in parliament, 109 out of 217, Khamiri stressed there are indicators of approval. He noted that Ennahda has so far held formal consultations with the Democratic Current and the People's Movement, Tahya Tounes and the Republican People's Union. Political observers noted that Ennahda is counting on the president for a breakthrough for the current deadlock. The country’s leader is expected to bring political parties closer and encourage a number of parties to partake in Ennahda’s government. But if it leads the political scene, the party will face a host of problems and difficulties, especially with the country’s balance of payments. At the news conference, Khamiri, also presented a document, called "a draft contract for the government", this is a contract that must be signed by any party participating in the new government. The program involves 120 points, 50 of which are considered a top priority.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1972956/ennahda-nominates-ghannouchi-head-next-tunisian-government