Saied Tells Macron a National Dialogue Will Take Place Soon

Arab World

October 3rd, 5:56am

Asharq Al-Awsat

Tunisian President Kais Saied takes the oath of office in Tunis, Tunisia, October 23, 2019. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi

Tunisian President Kais Saied told French President Emmanuel Macron that a national dialogue would take place soon, Macron's office said on Saturday after they spoke by phone. "Saied indicated that the government would be formed in the coming days and that a national dialogue would be launched in its wake," Macron's Elysee department said. The powerful labor union UGTT and major parties in the suspended parliament have all urged Saied to bring them into a dialogue about Tunisia's constitution and political system. Saied on Wednesday appointed Najla Bouden Romdhane as prime minister and asked her to form a cabinet quickly, but she is expected to have fewer powers than previous heads of government, Reuters reported. Tunisia faces a looming crisis in public finances and talks with the International Monetary Fund for a rescue package stopped when Saied dismissed the previous government in July.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3223341/saied-tells-macron-national-dialogue-will-take-place-soon