The majority of Tunisia's political parties have given lukewarm reaction to President Kais Saied’s decision to assign Interior Minister Hichem Mechichi as prime minister-designate, succeeding Elyes Fakhfakh who resigned earlier this month.
Saied named Mechichi, an independent from outside the list of nominations submitted by parties and parliamentary blocs to the presidency. He gave his formal approval to Mechichi’s appointment and announced his willingness to kick off consultations.
Except the People’s Movement which was a member of the coalition government and supports the President, all other parties said they conservatively welcomed the nomination.
The Democratic Current Party, also a member of the coalition government, said that it would formally announce its position after meeting with the prime minister-designate.
Head of Ennahda Renaissance Movement, which enjoys a parliamentary majority, Khalil Baroumi, told a local newspaper that they support Mechichi, but will determine the movement’s final position depending on the consultations.
The Heart of Tunisia did not oppose to Mechichi's assignment as premier, noting that the movement has no objections over the interior minister.
The head of Heart of Tunisia’s parliamentary bloc, Osama Khelifi, said the movement is following on the recent government changes, hoping the new PM can achieve the necessary political stability to achieve people’s aspirations and ensure sustainability of state institutions.
Mechichi, 46, has one month to form a government before submitting it to parliament for the vote of confidence.
Fakhfakh resigned after a political row with Ennahda and is currently under investigation over alleged failure to hand over control of shares he owns in private companies that have won public contracts.
If the new premier couldn’t form a government capable of winning a confidence vote in parliament by a simple majority, the president will dissolve the parliament and call for another election.
Tunisians hope that the prime minister-designate will put an end to the political crisis in light of a serious economic situation in the country, amid predictions of a 6.5 percent contraction and an expected increase in the unemployment rate to more than 20 percent.
