The decision taken by Head of Tunisia’s Ennahda Movement Rached Ghannouchi to dissolve its executive office has raised many questions on its reason and implications.
Political circles have wondered whether it is related to preparations for the delayed Ennahda’s 11th conference or the tense political conditions in the country.
It is noteworthy that the movement has multiple differences with more than one political party, both within the government coalition and in its relationship with the opposition parties, mainly the Free Constitutional Party.
In addition to that, internal disputes have been ongoing between veteran and young leaders over means of managing the state’s structures and the great power given to the Parliament Speaker, Ghannouchi.
These have led to the resignations of prominent leaders in the movement before holding its 11th conference later this year.
A new executive office is expected to be formed early June. This step was considered “an attempt by the movement’s leader to overcome a number of internal disputes, which prevented the continuation of work among members of the current executive office.”
Following his decision, Ghannouchi called on all the office members to continue their work until the necessary changes are made and entered into force.
Ennahda’s internal system enables its head to exempt or accept the resignation of any member of the executive office, provided the Shura Council is informed of the decisions.
The executive office includes 28 members, four advisors, four assignees, and one rapporteur. It is the movement’s political decision-making center, and alongside the Shura Council, it is the most important source of the Islamic party’s decisions.
According to political analysts, Ghannouchi’s decision was taken on Wednesday but was only announced on Monday.
They attributed that to disagreement on Ghannouchi’s successor since the movement's internal law prevents his candidacy for a new term after heading the movement for two consecutive terms.
In this regard, Khalil al-Baroumi, a top official at Ennahda’s media office, said Ghannouchi has announced that the current office will carry on its work.
He pointed out that the Speaker is currently considering the composition of the next office, and he will send it to the Movement’s Shura Council, in accordance with the requirements of the movement’s basic law.
