Tunisia’s Ennahda movement proposed forming a political government to end the crisis in the state institutions, as opposed to the government of independents suggested by Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi for the cabinet formation.
However, it stressed its support to Mechichi as prime minister, without amending the ministerial reshuffle that has been suspended since January 26, despite the parliament’s approval.
Ennahda spokesman Fathi al-Ayadi and Shura member Abdul Karim al-Harouni confirmed that the party supports a cabinet reshuffle founded on a political basis, so each party in the government bears its full responsibility.
Ayadi revealed that this proposal was discussed with the Heart of Tunisia Party, the Dignity Coalition, National Reform, and Tahya Tounes, the parliamentary blocs supporting the government.
He indicated that the party wants Mechichi to remain in position, given that the government's performance is improved, especially that Tunisia needs political stability in light of economic, social, and health challenges.
Harouni called for the formation of a political government in which all political parties are represented, including the opposition Democratic Current and the People's Movement and the parties that do not have parliamentary representation.
However, the head of the Democratic Current, Ghazi al-Shawashi, rejected the current government's saying Mechichi must go.
Tunisian political analyst Jamal Arfaoui confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that Ennahda's adherence to Mechichi aims to pressure political rivals and avoid “political embarrassment," however, the movement is willing to sacrifice the prime minister within the framework of negotiations that lead to an alternative.
Ennahda movement believes that the priority is to get out of the economic and social crisis before changing the political system, according to Arfaoui, who added that with that, the movement is responding indirectly to the presidential proposal, which was submitted by President Kais Saied on June 15.
