Ennahda fishing in Tunisia’s troubled political waters

Sara Rashad

The head of Ennahda Movement and Party, the branch of the Muslim Brotherhood in Tunisia, Rached Ghannouchi, is trying to fish in murky waters, especially after the series of protests that overwhelmed his country against his movement which controls most state institutions in Tunisia.

Ghannouchi, also the parliament speaker, is seeking more control over Tunisia by his movement through the next parliamentary elections.

He asked Tunisian President Kais Saied to approve a motion for turning the Tunisian political system into a parliamentary one.

This means that the role of the president will be symbolic.

The Tunisian president rejected the proposal. President Saied also rejected a cabinet reshuffle proposed by Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi against the background of corruption suspicions around four the proposed ministers.

Ennahda considered Saied’s position unconstitutional.

Ghannouchi said the presidency in Tunisia is “honorary” and that the president does not have the power to approve or disapprove of cabinet reshuffles.

Tensions have been raging on in Tunisia between the presidency, the parliament and the cabinet since the beginning of this year.

Ordinary Tunisians are also protesting against state institutions, accusing them of failing to address the problems of their country.

Political system

The Tunisian political system, which is enshrined in the 2014 constitution, limits the mandate of the president. The constitution distributes power between the presidency, the parliament and the cabinet.

The president represents the state, regulates general policies in the fields of defense, foreign relations and national security. He is responsible for appointing army commanders and the members of diplomatic missions. The president also has the right to dissolve the parliament at times of crises.

The prime minister is responsible, meanwhile, for forming the cabinet and sacking cabinet ministers. He is also responsible for appointing civilians in senior civilian positions.