Tunisia’s National Anti-Corruption Authority (INLUCC) has called on authorities to activate Article 14 of the law on combating terrorism and preventing money-laundering to “address monopolistic practices.”
The INLUCC, an elected constitutional body, has received reports indicating that government officials are abusing their powers to monopolize subsidized food, store them in illegal warehouses and sell them to citizens at high prices in light of the new coronavirus outbreak.
Chawki Tabib, president of the INLUCC, said these monopolistic practices are considered terrorist crimes because “they affect and harm food security and endanger Tunisians’ life and health.”
In response to these calls, the public prosecution in Kasserine governorate has begun investigating the suspicion of an MP’s involvement in this crime, following a complaint submitted by the Authority.
In other news, Tunisia’s parliament on Saturday ceded some powers to the government for two months to help it handle the coronavirus crisis and the expected economic fallout.
The decision, backed by all political parties, will allow Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh’s government to issue decrees, strike purchasing agreements and seek finance without consulting parliament.
It was passed by 178 members of the 217-member parliament during a plenary session, part of which was conducted by videoconference, Reuters reported.
Article 17 of the constitution allows parliament to delegate powers to the head of government for a maximum period of two months.
Fakhfakh, who was confirmed as prime minister on Feb. 28 after months of wrangling between rival parties to form a government, said the move was a “necessary weapon” to allow fast decisions to tackle the crisis.
