The Islamist Ennahda movement has been rallying its supporters to hold a demonstration in the Tunisian capital on Saturday to “defy its opponents and demonstrate its control over the political scene” in the country.
The Workers’ Party will be staging a demonstration at the same time, raising the specter of violence.
Tunisia has been caught in a standoff over a cabinet reshuffle, accelerating a power struggle between President Kais Saied, Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and the parliament speaker that threatens to bring down the government.
The dispute has been building since a 2019 election delivered a fragmented parliament and a political outsider as president, creating a constant state of political turmoil.
It has come to a head as Tunisia attempts to navigate the economic havoc wrought by COVID-19, while facing the biggest protests for years and public debt levels that have spooked capital markets needed to finance the state budget.
Ennahda leader and parliament Speaker Rached al-Ghannouchi vowed that the rally would go ahead in spite of warnings that it could spiral into violence.
Some members of Ennahda appeared reluctant to join the demonstration, expressing concern over the possibility of unrest.
Samir Dilou, a member of the party, said he opposed the rally, calling instead for dialogue and avoiding shows of force on the streets.
Ghannouchi shared a different view, encouraging people to take to streets, saying the demonstration will be peaceful.
Leading member of the Workers’ Party Ammar Amroussia said the right to protest cannot be monopolized by one party, stressing that the party does not advocate violence.
Taking to the streets underscores the party’s assertion that “there is another way to save Tunisia from its various crises,” he added.
Meanwhile, Saied and Mechichi are expected to hold a “cordial” meeting on Monday to address the crisis.
